On 7 May voters across Scotland and Wales will head to the polls to elect the next Scottish and Welsh Parliaments. Kidney Care UK are calling on the next government in both devolved nations to improve care for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Whoever wins, these elections are a crucial opportunity to get better support and treatment in place for people with CKD. We are speaking to all political parties to explain why action on CKD is so important, and what changes are necessary for everyone to get the care and support they need.
The Scottish Parliament (left) and the Welsh Senate / Cymru Senedd (right)
Why the next governments in Scotland and in Wales must act on CKD
- Hundreds of thousands are affected: Over 600,000 people in Scotland and an estimated 377,000 people in Wales have kidney disease.
- CKD is growing and millions are being spent: CKD is estimated to be costing the economy more than £500 million a year in Scotland and £361 million in Wales. Sharp increases in CKD prevalence and cost will continue with an ageing population and projected growth in diabetes and other risk factors such as high blood pressure.
- Employment rates are low and missed work days are high: Employment rates among people on dialysis are just 26%. Between 2022 and 2032, CKD in the UK is projected to result in 81.6 million missed workdays in people diagnosed with CKD, and 11.9 million missed workdays in carers of people with CKD.
- The transplant waiting list is growing: Yet more people are developing kidney failure. This will only get worse if rapid action is not taken.
Make the voice of kidney patients heard at the Scottish and Welsh elections
Kidney Care UK wants you to tell your local candidates why CKD is important and what changes you want to see. Here's how you can get in touch with your candidates:
Discuss CKD with your local candidates face to face
Ahead of the election, your local candidates will be out and about in your area trying to get your vote. We encourage you to discuss CKD with your local candidates and ask them what they will do to place kidney disease on the political agenda if they are elected.
Your local candidates may not know very much about CKD – or even that it exists. Your voice and experience may be the first chance they get to hear about the challenges of living with this condition and what the next government in Scotland and Wales should do to better support kidney patients.
Not sure what questions to ask? Click the boxes below for suggestions on what to ask your local candidates about some of the key issues facing kidney patients.
Early diagnosis can delay progression of kidney disease and keep people healthier for longer.
How would you make sure everyone knows about CKD and more cases are spotted early?
Kidney disease can be difficult to live with and one in three people with CKD develop depression, yet kidney patients cannot get the mental health support they need.
How would you work to make sure the NHS meets people’s mental health needs as well as their physical health?
A kidney transplant is considered the gold standard of treatment for kidney failure, yet the transplant waiting list is growing.
Could I rely on you to raise the profile of organ donation if you were elected?
Services and support for patients with kidney disease are often influenced by where they live.
Would you commit to ending the post code lottery of kidney care?
Email your local candidates
Send an email to the candidates in your local area, asking them how they will work to champion kidney disease if they are elected.
Keep us informed: If you speak to a candidate about CKD, or receive a response to your email, please let us know what they said by emailing [email protected]. Thank you.
Who are my local candidates and how can I contact them?
Scotland
Wales
Have you registered to vote?
You must register to vote by 11:59pm on 20 April 2026 to take part in the elections in Scotland and Wales.
If you’re not sure whether you’re registered to vote, you can check by contacting your local Electoral Registration Office.