The UK Kidney Association welcomes the publication of the Government's new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (MSF), the first in a planned series of MSFs designed to improve care for major health conditions over the next decade and in which chronic kidney disease (CKD) is included as an under-recognised contributing factor.
The new framework adopts a cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CVKM) approach, highlighting CKD alongside high blood pressure, diabetes and high lipids as one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. It sets out a series of national priorities, including earlier identification of CKD, the wider uptake of SGLT2 inhibitors for eligible patients and a greater focus on preventing kidney disease progression through earlier intervention.
Recognising kidney disease within a cardiovascular strategy is welcome and will reduce some cases of future kidney disease. However, it will not deliver the kidney care which is so badly needed now, nor provide the same focus as a dedicated modern service framework for kidney disease.
While the cardiovascular framework focuses on CKD as part of preventing heart disease and stroke, it does not and cannot address many of the wider challenges facing kidney care. It cannot address the delivery of new innovative medicines to those with rare kidney disease. It does not address supporting those receiving dialysis to move to a more normal life or to return to employment. It does not address inequities in kidney transplant access or seek to shorten waiting times for this life-changing intervention. It does not address the many children and young people affected by kidney disease. It cannot address the challenges of workforce planning or service configuration, so vital to the delivery of kidney care. Those issues require a dedicated Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework.
Dr Katie Vinen, President (Medical) of the UK Kidney Association, said:
“The publication of the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework shows what's possible when there is a clear national ambition for improving care.
We welcome the recognition of CKD within this new framework, particularly the focus on earlier diagnosis and treatment. But kidney disease extends far beyond cardiovascular risk and deserves the same level of strategic ambition across the whole kidney pathway.
The kidney community has already come together to develop that ambition, and we look forward to continuing to work with Government and partners to turn those priorities into lasting improvements for patients."
The foundations for work on a national kidney strategy have already been laid.
Over the past six months, the UK Kidney Association has been working alongside Kidney Care UK, Kidney Research UK, the National Kidney Federation and PKD Charity through the 7 Million Lives at Risk campaign to develop proposals for a dedicated Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework.
As part of the campaign, the Voices to Vision programme has brought together more than 450 patients, carers, healthcare professionals and partner organisations through a series of structured listening events. Together, they have explored the challenges facing kidney care and identified the priorities that should shape the future.
Lisa Ancliffe, President (MPT) of the UK Kidney Association, said:
"The strength of this recent work is that it is being shaped by the people who know kidney care best - those living with kidney disease and the professionals delivering care.
"That collaboration will help ensure the recommendations for a future Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework reflect the realities of delivering kidney care across the UK and provide a strong foundation for future national policy."
Further listening events and a national survey for healthcare professionals and patients will take place this autumn before those findings are brought together into recommendations to help shape a future national Kidney Disease Strategy.