News

Keep up to date with the latest Kidney Care UK news, including information on our latest campaigns and kidney-related research.

  • News, Organ donation, Treatment and medication

    US surgeons perform first living transplant of genetically-edited pig kidney

    A 62 year-old man living with kidney failure became the first person to receive a successful transplant of a pig kidney, which was genetically modified to reduce the risk of his body rejecting the organ, in March 2024 at Massachusetts General Hospital in the US.

  • News, Organ donation

    Share your views of the kidney transplant system

    Thank you to everyone who contributed to our survey on people's experiences of the kidney transplant system. The survey is now closed. Find out how we will use the results to create positive change for kidney patients.

  • News, Organ donation

    Kidney transplant patients to get blood matched for white blood cells

    A new pilot scheme launching this month will match blood transfusions intended for kidney transplant patients for white blood cell as well as red blood cells, reducing the risk of transplant rejection.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    New study finds non-surgical insertion of catheters for peritoneal dialysis safe and effective

    New research comparing non-surgical (medical) insertion of the abdominal catheter needed for peritoneal dialysis to surgical insertion suggests the medical method is at least as safe and effective, while being generally more convenient.

  • News, Organ donation

    New NHS test provides more certainty for potential Black living donors

    NHS England has approved a new genetic test that could flag up variations of a gene which is linked to developing kidney disease, providing more certainty to potential living kidney donors. The gene variation is more common in people of African and Caribbean heritage.

  • News

    Treating rare kidney diseases could reduce demand for dialysis and kidney transplants

    The Effects of rare kidney diseases on kidney failure study suggests that finding ways to treat people living with rare kidney diseases could help reduce the overall demand for dialysis and kidney transplants.

  • Campaign, News

    Kidney Care UK response to the Spring Budget 2024

    The Kidney Care UK response to the Spring 2024 Budget and how it might affect people living with kidney disease.

  • Awareness, News

    World Kidney Day 2024: how to get involved

    For World Kidney Day 2024, we are working as part of the Kidney Charities Together Group, alongside Kidney Research UK, the National Kidney Federation (NKF), the UK Kidney Association (UKKA), Kidney Wales and the PKD Charity, to raise awareness of kidney disease.

  • Awareness, News

    Study finds patients with kidney failure at high risk of heart attack and stroke

    People with kidney failure are many times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than the general population, according to research published in the European Heart Journal and funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

  • Campaign, News

    First-ever dialysis reimbursement guidelines announced by Scottish government

    The Scottish government have confirmed the introduction of the first-ever national guidelines for reimbursement for people on home dialysis in Scotland following campaigning from Kidney Care UK.

  • News

    Working with the NHS to help you stay well and warm this winter

    Winter conditions can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or older, and people with long-term conditions such as kidney disease. We have worked with the NHS to produce a CKD-specific winter health leaflet.

  • Awareness, News

    NHS England to trial home testing for chronic kidney disease (CKD)

    NHS England has announced funding for a trial in West Yorkshire of home kidney function tests.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    Shingles vaccination recommendation

    The shingles vaccination is now recommended for people aged 50 or over who are severely immunocompromised.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    Final NICE guidance recommending new drugs for CKD

    The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have issued final guidance recommending the use of two new treatments for CKD and IgAN: empagliflozin and targeted-release budesonide.

  • Awareness, News

    Lives are being put at risk by the failure to recognise the seriousness of CKD

    A new Kidney Care UK report, Let’s talk kidneys – opportunities for early intervention in chronic kidney disease, suggests that a lack of focus on chronic kidney disease (CKD) is putting lives at risk and putting unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

  • News

    Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast celebrates 100th episode

    Dee Moore, who lives in Birmingham, recently celebrated the 100th episode of her Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast which is run in partnership with Kidney Care UK.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    NICE issue guidance recommending empagliflozin for CKD

    Kidney Care UK contributed to the NICE appraisal of this drug, highlighting the challenges of living with kidney disease and the difference a drug that can slow down progress of the disease and potentially delay the need for dialysis can make to people.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    First licensed treatment for IgAN recommended by NICE

    The use of targeted-release budesonide is not a cure but may help many people with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) from ever reaching kidney failure.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    Get 'winter strong’ with flu and Covid-19 vaccines

    Eligible people are invited to book their free vaccines ahead of the festive and new year season, when flu and Covid-19 are expected to peak.

  • News

    British Gas Energy Trust funds money and energy advice

    Kidney Care UK are working with the British Gas Energy Trust to provide tailored money and energy advice to kidney patients, with a focus on those living in London, South East England and South West England.

  • News, Treatment and medication

    Access your GP health record on the NHS App

    The NHS is giving people access to their GP health record on the NHS App, NHS website and other GP online services. This means people will be able to easily access information including consultation notes, test results and letters.