Investigation of the National Health Service in England, a major independent investigation into the state of the NHS, was released today and will inform the government’s 10-year plan to reform the health service. The investigation was led by Lord Darzi, an independent peer and practising surgeon with 30 years’ experience in the NHS.
Lord Darzi’s report has concluded the service is in a ‘critical condition’ amidst surging waiting lists and a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health. The investigation has identified serious and widespread problems for people accessing services.
Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK, said:
The UK chronic kidney disease (CKD) story is one of missed opportunity and inequality, but now there is a huge chance for improvement. The number of people who are on dialysis or who have had a kidney transplant has increased by 20% in the last 10 years and the transplant waiting list is the longest it has been in a decade. Kidney disease already results in 45,000 premature deaths in the UK every year, and if we don't take urgent action, by 2040 CKD will be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide.
"We were pleased to see a focus on prevention for cardiovascular conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are main causes of kidney disease. But it is time that we stopped viewing CKD as a result of these conditions and look at how they are interlinked and how we can do more to identify those at risk sooner.
"Recent announcements of blood pressure checks in workplaces, dental surgeries and opticians appointments are a start but we need to do more and ensure a joined up approach when it comes to managing the nation’s health.
"Kidney Care UK would welcome a move to bring care closer to home. More people with kidney failure could benefit from home dialysis which gives greater independence and flexibility but they continue to face financial barriers including support with energy costs. People should be able to access the right treatment for them, without fear of whether or not they can afford it.
"Our community have told us how digital care gives freedom from constant hospital visits but this needs to be joined up. Too many people find out they have CKD through the NHS App, not a conversation with a medical professional who can explain what this means to them.
"We noted that the ten year plan will be ‘something so different from anything that has come before’ and one way to do that will be to prioritise preventive action on CKD. We need to see accountable, transparent, bold and urgent action on prevention of CKD – a condition affecting 1 in 10 people in the UK, a number that will only increase if we don’t take action now.
"We stand ready to work collaboratively with the NHS and the government to ensure people with CKD can live their lives to the full."