Kidney Disease HIT 2022-23

Co-directors Dominic Taylor and Pippa Bailey look back at the HIT's achievements in the last year.

1st April 2023

Undertaking research into kidney disease

The Kidney Disease HIT focuses primarily on undertaking research to support the evidence base for detecting, managing and treating kidney disease. Here are some examples where particular progress has been made this year:

Developing a proactive, integrated system of detecting risk factors for kidney disease and managing these risks will improve treatment and access to care. A realist review has been completed and next steps include applying to for funding to undertake a realist evaluation of current care models in the UK.
A feasibility trial to improve access to kidney transplantation, funded by the Wellcome Trust, is recruiting ahead of schedule.
NIHR Research for Patient Benefit funding has been awarded to start a study investigating the experience and management of failing kidney transplants, with work due to start.

Our public contributors continue to play an important role in the HIT’s work, from sitting on advisory panels to providing feedback on funding applications.

Influencing national guidance

The HIT is exerting influence nationally on the British Transplantation Society guidelines committee, which prepared guidance on APOL1 gene testing in living kidney donors. Co-director Pippa Bailey chairs the committee and public contributor Primrose Granville is also a member.

Improving information, education and involvement

In terms of delivering improvements to services, the HIT has focussed on improving information online for Bristol renal patients. Funding was secured to develop a website, and the HIT is sourcing video content from patients and other public contributors. For renal outpatients, pages have also been updated on GP platform REMEDY for chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury.

A grant also enabled the HIT to deliver the region’s first out-of-hospital education session for kidney transplant patients and their families, which attracted more than 130 people. Further sessions are planned for 2023.

Funding enabled in 2022-23

Kidney Disease HIT helped secure £172,954 in 2022-23 for research, improving outcomes and addressing health inequalities.