Patient Support & Advocacy Service

At Kidney Care UK, we understand the challenges you face when you're living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our Patient Support & Advocacy team are here to help.

How can the Kidney Care UK Patient Support & Advocacy team help me?

Whether you are looking for general information, need help with practical issues like money and benefits or want to talk to someone who ‘gets it’, you can speak to our trained team about the support that is available.

While we can't give medical advice, we offer a range of free expert services, including practical, financial, and emotional support.

Not sure what help you need? Get in touch and we’ll find the right person for you to speak to.

Please note that we cannot diagnose or give medical advice.

I am so glad I picked up the phone that day. I had been a bit reckless with my medicine and my diet because I felt so helpless, but with my Patient Support & Advocacy Officer's help I was able to find my way.

The Patient Support & Advocacy team can:

  • Answer your questions about chronic kidney disease (CKD), treatment options and planning for the future
  • Talk through your concerns following a CKD diagnosis
  • Provide a listening ear if you need to speak to someone outside your family
  • Help you navigate the welfare benefits system and find out what benefits and cost of living support you might be entitled to
  • Offer expert advice about a Personal Independent Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) application
  • Suggest ways you could save money through smarter energy usage and make sure you are on the best tariff with your utility suppliers
  • Give you information about applying for one of our patient grants or holiday grants
  • Share details of our free Counselling Service and other organisations who can help

If you need our help, we're just a message or call away

We are trained to listen and advise patients, and also to fight their corner.

We’ll take the time to really understand what you’re going through, and give you the expert support you need to tackle it.

We’ll work in partnership with you and empower you to achieve your goals. Your needs will always be at the centre of the support you receive.

We'll make sure you have access to accurate and reliable information, presented in a way that makes sense to you.

We'll help you connect with professionals who offer specialist support, ensuring they understand your worries or concerns. If you face challenges with the care you're receiving, we'll support you to make your voice heard.

Thank you so much for arranging for my PSAO to call me with advice on CKD. She was lovely to talk to and a great help in easing my worries.

Where and when we can support you

Our Patient Support & Advocacy team work across the UK.

We are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

  • on the phone 0808 801 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
  • on email [email protected]
  • via video calls
  • in person in community settings.

Please note that we are not a crisis service. We respond to all referrals as quickly as possible, but at busy times it could be a few days before your Patient Support & Advocacy Officer is able to make contact.

There is no time limit for support: once your Patient Support & Advocacy Officer is working with you, they will support you for as long as it takes to achieve your agreed goal. And you can come back to the service at any time in the future.

Understand more about working with our Patient Support & Advocacy team.

More support from Kidney Care UK

  • Counselling and support service

    Living with a long-term illness such as chronic kidney disease can turn anyone's world upside down. You’re not alone. Our Counselling Service offers FREE help and emotional support to kidney patients and their families.

  • Kidney Care UK online community

    At Kidney Care UK, we believe no one should have to face kidney disease alone. To connect with other people affected by CKD in the UK, join our friendly, supportive online community on Facebook.

  • Young Adult Kidney Group (YAKG)

    Started in 2016 as a way for young people with kidney disease to come together, the Young Adult Kidney Group has grown into a safe place for young patients to support one another online.