The past, present and future of education at the UKKA

Education has played an important role in the UK Kidney Association (UKKA) and its predecessor organisations for many years. From national meetings and clinical guidance to professional networks and informal peer learning, the UKKA has long supported the sharing of knowledge and best practice across kidney care. Over time, the reach and ambition of education within the UKKA have evolved. Education has become more formal, more strategic, and more central.

Over the past two years, education has become firmly established as a core pillar of the UKKA’s strategy. This reflects a clear recognition that education is one of the most powerful levers for translating the expertise of UKKA members and partners into improved outcomes. It also supports efforts to reduce inequalities, to sustain a future-ready workforce, and to develop future leaders.

This shift has been driven by the growing complexity of kidney care:

  • Rapid advances in research and treatment, which have increased the need for accessible, high-quality education;
  • The need for stronger integration across primary and secondary care, and between specialists who manage common comorbidities;
  • The central role of quality improvement;
  • The increasing need for adaptive leadership in rapidly changing healthcare systems.

A modern educational infrastructure

To support our ambition to be a leading source of education for the kidney community, the UKKA has invested heavily in developing a new Education Hub and resources. The hub brings together e-learning, knowledge hubs, webinars and curated resources in a single, accessible platform. In the two years since its launch, it has reached more than 5,000 learners across the multi-professional workforce.

The Education Hub is built around two complementary approaches:

  • E-learning, which supports individuals in building confidence and capability in specific topics.
  • Knowledge hubs, which support teams, networks, and communities of practice to learn collaboratively, share innovation, and adapt practice locally.

Together, these mark a deliberate move beyond education as information delivery alone. Education is increasingly positioned as a driver of change, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Education across the multi-professional workforce

The breadth of educational content reflects the complexity of modern kidney care. Resources span chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, rare diseases, dialysis, transplantation, complications, psychosocial care, pharmacy practice, sustainability, and nursing competencies.

Much of this work has been developed in close partnership with UKKA special interest groups, professional groups, and KQIP programmes. External partner organisations, end-users, and patient representatives have been closely involved. This collaborative approach ensures that educational resources are clinically credible, multi-professional, and grounded in real-world practice. 

Looking ahead: education for the next 75 years

As the UKKA closes its 75th year, education is firmly positioned as a strategic pillar for the future of kidney care.

The next phase of the UKKA’s educational work will focus on three priorities:

  1. Extending reach beyond specialist services, particularly into primary care and the interface between generalists and specialists. This will include a strong focus on early and integrated CKD.
  2. Supporting leadership, change and improvement capability. Delivering better kidney care depends not only on clinical knowledge, but on how services are led and improved.
  3. Strengthening communities of practice. More knowledge hubs will be developed to reduce duplication and accelerate shared learning across the UK.

Education will continue to evolve alongside the needs of people with kidney disease, professionals and the wider health system. It will support prevention as well as treatment, build the capability of generalists while deepening specialist expertise, and promote collaboration and integration alongside individual learning.

Looking ahead, education will remain central to how the UKKA supports its members, develops leadership, and drives improvement. The UKKA is committed to ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and confidence of the kidney workforce continue to grow. This will be essential as we adapt to the challenges and opportunities of the next 75 years.