Today, the government published its Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, describing a radical shift toward prevention, community-based services and digital innovation.

The UK Kidney Association (UKKA) welcomes the overall ambition to move the NHS toward prevention and earlier intervention, with closer working across primary and specialist care, and improved care for people with long-term conditions.

However, the plan makes little explicit reference to kidney disease, despite it being the third fastest-growing cause of death worldwide and affecting more than 7 million people in the UK. Kidney disease is deeply linked to the other priority conditions highlighted in the plan, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, yet remains largely absent from the government’s proposals.

The plan commits to updating National Service Frameworks for long-term conditions through the National Quality Board, initially prioritising cardiovascular disease, mental health, frailty and dementia. Kidney disease must be added to this list, given its huge burden and its close connections with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“The kidney community is ready to play its part in transforming the NHS. We have the knowledge, evidence and workforce to build a better future for kidney patients - but we urge the system to match that ambition," says UKKA President Katie Vinen. 

The UKKA stands ready to work with NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and other partners to ensure kidney disease is not left behind. A coherent national strategy for kidney disease detection, prevention and treatment is needed, along with investment in the kidney workforce, to improve outcomes and protect the NHS from rising dialysis demand.

“We cannot achieve the plan’s goals on prevention or health inequalities if we continue to overlook kidney disease. There is a strong economic and clinical case for a national strategy: investing now will protect NHS capacity, save lives, and support a fairer health system. Our UKKA members stand ready to help deliver that.”

In the coming weeks, the UKKA will be working with our partners across the kidney charities community to gather public support for a joint call to government for a dedicated National Service Framework for kidney disease. We will be inviting patients, supporters and professionals to add their signatures before the letter is formally delivered to the Prime Minister. 

We will continue to advocate for a kidney health strategy that puts prevention, equitable access to treatment, and patient-centred care at its core.