Over the past 6 months, the kidney community has been campaigning to policymakers for a Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework. 

• October 2025 - open letter calling for a national kidney disease strategy delivered to Prime Minister with over 13,000 signatures
• February – March 2026 – campaign action launched across community calling on supporters to write to their MP, highlighting the need for a national kidney disease strategy and encouraging MPs to write to the Secretary of State
• June 2026 – joint letters delivered to members of the Health and Social Care Committee calling for a meeting to discuss the need for a national strategy for kidney disease
• July 2026 – Stuart Andrew, Shadow Health Secretary, highlighted link between heart disease, stroke and kidney disease in Westminster Hall Debate
• July 2026 – Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework published highlighting kidney disease as key associated disease in a cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic approach.

A programme of listening events, Voices to Vision, has brought together over 450 patients, healthcare professionals, charity and community partners to help shape a national strategy for kidney disease.  

• February 2026 – Voices to Vision virtual launch event
• February 2025 – in person listening event, Birmingham
• March 2026– virtual listening event for London & East of England
• March 2026- in person listening event, Leeds
• April 2026– virtual listening event for Devolved Nations 
• April 2026– in person listening event, Bristol 
• August– September 2026 – listening survey open to patients, carers and professionals
• September 2026 – Virtual listening events for patients and carers
• September 2026 – Virtual listening event for primary care

We have been struck by the passion, energy and commitment of the community at these events. 

8 patient speakers generously shared their stories to help demonstrate the difference a national strategy could make to people’s lives, and a further 40 patients and carers attended and contributed to the conversations.  

Clinicians, charity representatives and academic speakers shared their expertise to help drive forward change and make kidney care the best it can be for the future. 

The events were supported by 37 volunteer facilitators from across our multi-professional community and 20 volunteer scribes who captured every tabletop or breakout room discussion during each event.  This data is now being carefully analysed, organised and written up by the University of Leicester, to feed into topic expert groups as they consider priorities to include in a national strategy for kidney disease. 

This process is demonstrating what we are capable of when we work together as a community, united in a common goal to improve kidney care.

This joint campaign is represented by Kidney Care UK, Kidney Research UK, the National Kidney Federation, PKD Charity, the UK Kidney Association, clinical representatives including devolved nations, the National Clinical Director for renal and National Specialist Advisor for paediatric renal medicine, together with two patient experts.

Lisa Ancliffe, MPT President 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."

Katie Vinen, Medical President of the UK Kidney Association, said:

Over the last two years, the WHO has recognised kidney disease as an international priority alongside other long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer. We have also experienced a welcome therapeutics and technology revolution in this area, opening up new opportunities for prevention, cure and kidney protection throughout the renal pathway. The Voices to Vision work acknowledges this opportunity and the need to modernise care not just in prevention but also in rare diseases, paediatric nephrology, and for those who are on dialysis and receive kidney transplants. We owe it to our patients and our professional colleagues to refresh strategy and give patients and staff the service they deserve.    

The publication of a Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework has been a positive step forward for the kidney community, highlighting how important kidney health is in managing heart disease. But we know that this does not go far enough for people living with kidney disease and we are determined in our ambition for the government to commit to a dedicated Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework. 

The foundations are being laid. We hope a community-led strategy can help demonstrate to government the potential impact of a Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework. A national strategy could improve the lives of those living with kidney disease, but also those living unknowingly or knowingly at risk of associated conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. 

Funmi Lawal, Patient Co-Chair of the 7 Million Lives at Risk Campaign Governance Group, said:

A national kidney strategy would result in the same high standard of care and same opportunities regardless of where you live and who you are.

There is still time to make your voice heard

We continue to seek views through a Listening Survey which is open to professionals, patients and carers until 30th September 2026.  We are holding a virtual primary care listening event 15th September, and two final virtual listening events for patients and carers on 22nd and 23rd September. You can sign up and take part in these opportunities using the links below.

Take part in the patient and carer listening survey

Take part in the professionals listening survey 

Register to attend a patient and carer virtual listening event

Register to attend a virtual CKD in primary care listening event

We aim to publish a case for change in the Autumn of this year.

We know that 7 million people in the UK are affected by kidney disease and that by working together as a community, we can improve their lives and ensure people living with kidney disease receive the care that is right for them.

Get in touch with the campaign team at 7millionlives@ukkidney.org