The UK Kidney Association (UKKA) invites expressions of interest for the roles of Medical Chair and Multi-Professional Team (MPT) Chair of the UKKA Kidney Patient Safety Committee (KPSC).
The Kidney Patient Safety Committee plays a central role in advancing patient safety across kidney services in the UK. The Committee provides clinical leadership, strategic oversight, and expert guidance to support improvements in safety culture, systems and outcomes for people living with kidney disease. Committee meetings are typically held once a month.
Purpose of the Committee
The Committee is responsible for:
- Providing strategic leadership on kidney patient safety priorities
- Reviewing and responding to emerging safety alerts, national reports and policy developments
- Supporting learning from incidents and promoting best practice across services
- Working collaboratively with UKKA committees, professional groups and external stakeholders
- Contributing to national discussions on quality improvement and safety standards in nephrology
Role of the Medical Chair and MPT Chair
The Chairs will provide joint leadership to the Committee and will:
- Provide strategic and professional leadership in kidney patient safety
- Chair and facilitate Committee meetings
- Ensure alignment with UKKA governance structures and strategic objectives
- Support engagement across the multidisciplinary workforce
- Act as ambassadors for patient safety within UKKA and externally
- Contribute to the development of position statements, guidance and safety initiatives where appropriate
Applicants for the Medical Chair must be a registered medical practitioner and a member of UKKA.
Applicants for the MPT Chair should be a registered healthcare professional working within kidney services (e.g. nursing, pharmacy, AHP, clinical science) and a member of UKKA.
Both appointments are for a three-year term.
Message from the current MPT Co-Chair, Karen Jenkins
“KPSC is a proactive and inclusive committee which values the knowledge and experience of its multi-professional members, external agencies, industry partners and patient charities.
Being MDT Co-Chair for the past six years has been a fantastic experience, working with a wide range of people from all disciplines and backgrounds. As Co-Chair, I have had the opportunity to guide and facilitate the work of our committee members, influence practice and drive change to benefit both our patients and the wider kidney care community.
This is a great opportunity to get involved in the practicalities of real-time safety issues with the support of the UKKA team, to share learning and experience, and ultimately to improve the safety of our patients. You can make a difference.”
Message from the current Medical Chair, Katy Jones
“My years as Chair and then Co-Chair of the Patient Safety Committee have been enjoyable, though also extremely challenging, and professionally rewarding. I particularly valued the opportunity to drive forward change within the group and to open participation to colleagues from a wide range of disciplines. This diversity was essential in helping us tackle complex and interesting challenges together and to develop practical solutions.
The move to a co-chair model was instrumental in enabling this progress, and I have learned a great deal from my co-chair and from the wider committee membership, to whom I am very grateful.
Chairing the Committee has allowed me to help shape and present nationally relevant work, supported by a highly expert and engaged team and the UKKA secretariat. I would strongly encourage anyone considering a chair or leadership role to put themselves forward - it is a stimulating and worthwhile opportunity.”
Applicants are invited to submit a brief expression of interest (maximum 100 words) outlining their suitability for the role and relevant experience in patient safety, governance, or quality improvement.
Where there are multiple suitable applications, shortlisted candidates may be invited to a short informal interview.
Expressions of interest should be sent to ukka@ukkidney.org by 29 March 2026