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International

The International Committee helps UKKA members build connections with kidney professionals and services around the world. It supports equitable international collaboration through shared learning, education, mentorship and the exchange of professional expertise, enabling members to contribute their knowledge while learning from colleagues working in different healthcare settings.

The committee works closely with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), promoting its international programmes and supporting UK kidney professionals and centres that want to participate. It also draws on the experience and networks of its members to share opportunities and encourage meaningful, long-term partnerships.

International learning and exchange

The committee hosts online sessions bringing together kidney professionals from the UK and overseas to share clinical experience and explore different approaches to kidney care. Sessions range from focused case-based discussions to extended collaborations with kidney teams in a particular country or region. Recordings of previous sessions are available through the UKKA Education Hub.

Committee Co-Chairs

Medical Co-Chair

MPT Co-Chair

What the committee does

The committee’s responsibilities include:

  • Developing and delivering case-based learning sessions with kidney teams in different countries
  • Promoting UK participation in selected International Society of Nephrology programmes
  • Helping UK kidney professionals contribute to international teaching, training and mentorship
  • Identifying and sharing relevant international opportunities with UKKA members
  • Bringing international speakers, experience and perspectives into UKKA educational activity and events

Working with the International Society of Nephrology

A central part of the committee’s remit is maintaining the UKKA’s relationship with the International Society of Nephrology and helping UK kidney professionals and centres participate in its international programmes.

Discounted ISN membership

UKKA members can access discounted membership of the International Society of Nephrology.

Benefits vary by membership category and include access to the ISN Academy, reduced registration fees for ISN events, access to ISN journals and eligibility to participate in international programmes, committees and working groups.

Login to your UKKA member dashboard to view the current rates and access the UKKA membership offer.

Already an ISN member? Manage your membership through MyISN

Sister Renal Centers

The ISN Sister Renal Centers (SRC) programme supports long-term partnerships between an Emerging Center in a lower-resource setting and a Supporting Center with established kidney care expertise.

Each partnership agrees objectives based on the needs of the Emerging Center, with a structured plan for education, training and service development. Activities may include virtual teaching, professional exchanges, practical training, workshops, fellowships and support to develop clinical services.

After completing the programme, successful partnerships can form a trio in which the former Emerging Center supports another centre in its region, with the original Supporting Center continuing as a mentor.

Find out more

UK and Nigeria

Salford Royal Hospital and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Nigeria joined the Sister Renal Center (SRC) programme in 2017.

Their partnership delivered regular virtual education, face-to-face workshops and exchange visits, alongside practical training in areas including peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion, vascular access, kidney ultrasound and biopsy. Members of the Salford team travelled to Port Harcourt to provide training and support the development of local services.

The partnership graduated from the programme in 2022, enabling Port Harcourt to become a Supporting Center for another kidney centre in its region while Salford continues as a Mentor Center.

Read the case study

Level A

  • UK (St Georges and Birmingham) – Ghana (Accra and Kumasi) JOINT
  • UK (St George’s) – India (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)
  • UK (Salford Royal Hospital) – Nigeria (University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Level B

  • UK (Leicester) – Nigeria (Abuja)
  • UK (Birmingham) – Chile (Santiago)
  • UK (Stevenage) – Nigeria (Lagos)
  • UK (Oxford) – Russia (Saratov) – Belarus (Minsk) TRIO
  • UK (Royal London) – Malawi (Blantyre)

Level C

  • UK (Sheffield) – Bosnia (Sarajevo)

Successful pairs graduated from this programme:

  • UK (Guy’s) – Romania (Iasi) – 2008
  • UK (Cardiff) – China (Nanjing) – 2009
  • UK (Oxford) – Belarus (Minsk) – 2011
  • UK (Barts Health London) – Malawi – 2019 (ISN Schrier Prize winners)
  • UK (Salford) – Nigeria (Port Harcourt) – 2022

ISN Fellowships

The ISN Fellowship programme enables doctors from low- and middle-income countries to undertake specialist training at an established kidney centre for between three and 12 months. Training is shaped around an identified local need, with fellows returning to their home service to apply their learning and support the development of kidney care.

UK kidney centres can participate as host centres, providing clinical training, education and mentorship to visiting fellows. Since 2002, the UK has hosted 53 ISN Fellows based in 15 centres.

Find out about Fellowships

Educational Ambassadors

The ISN Educational Ambassadors programme connects kidney services in lower-resource settings with experienced professionals who can provide focused education and practical training.

Host centres identify a specific need and work with an Educational Ambassador to develop a tailored programme. UKKA members with relevant expertise can contribute as ambassadors, supporting areas such as dialysis, transplantation, interventional nephrology, renal pathology and clinical service development.

Find out about Ambassadors

More opportunities through the ISN

The ISN offers further opportunities in mentorship, leadership development, clinical research, scientific writing and continuing medical education.

Eligibility and application arrangements vary between programmes. Visit the ISN website to explore the full range of current opportunities.

Get involved

UKKA members and kidney centres with international experience, relevant expertise or an interest in developing overseas collaborations are encouraged to get involved.

Contact the committee if you would like to:

  • Contribute to an international learning session
  • Develop or share a partnership between kidney centres
  • Offer education, training or professional mentorship
  • Explore opportunities to host an overseas observer or fellow
  • Find out about a relevant ISN programme

Contact the International Committee