The Royal College of General Practitioners has recently published a framework for GPs who want to take an 'extended role' in kidney health that goes beyond the standard training that all GPs receive.

All GPs are responsible for understanding who is at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and how kidney disease is managed. This new framework, which Kidney Care UK contributed to, is the first of its kind for kidney (renal) health in the UK.

General Practitioners with Extended Roles (GPwER) are GPs who undertake a role beyond the normal scope of GP training and examinations, and requires further training.

GPs with extended roles in kidney health will work with patients who have been identified as being at higher risk of CKD or need more support.

Kidney Care UK is delighted to see chronic kidney disease and kidney health placed alongside other areas with extended training frameworks including child and adolescent mental health, frailty and end of life care.

The guidance directs GPs to resources covering the fundamentals of kidney health, acute kidney injury (AKI), CKD and Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic diseases (CVRM), such as type 2 diabetes.

Dr Kristin Veighey, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in General Practice, Consultant Nephrologist and UKKA Integrated CKD Co-Lead contributed to the framework. She said:

The framework provides guidance for gaining practical skills and ensuring proper patient communication, and links to Kidney Care UK's primary care resources for healthcare professionals. It also signposts GPs to resources for patients from Kidney Care UK, including our Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patient information, our Bloody Amazing Kidneys campaign and our Kidney Kitchen recipes.