Practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges in advanced kidney care took centre stage at this year’s Transform AKC Summit, which brought together more than 100 delegates from across the UK kidney community.

The summit focused on improving outcomes and experience for people with advanced kidney disease, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, patient representatives and national partners for a day of shared learning, collaboration and quality improvement.

Delivered through the Transform AKC programme, the event showcased work from five pilot kidney centres exploring key challenges in advanced kidney care, including frailty assessment, patient education, symptom management, transplant access and health literacy. Delegates heard how teams are developing and testing practical approaches that could help improve care pathways and patient experience across the UK.

The programme featured keynote sessions from leading clinicians and multi-professional experts, including Dr Rupert Major on KFRE and risk prediction, Dr Sharon Huish on the role of diet in advanced kidney care, and Joanne Henry on bridging the health literacy gap in AKC consultations. 

Interactive workshops gave delegates the opportunity to explore practical solutions to unmet needs in advanced kidney care, including shared decision making, home therapies, psychosocial care, symptom management and applying the latest BTS/BCS cardiac assessment guidance for kidney transplantation in clinical practice. 

The summit also created space for networking and discussion across the multi-professional kidney community, with strong engagement throughout the day and particularly positive feedback on the practical, collaborative format of the sessions.

Transform AKC is a partnership initiative between the UKKA and Kidney Care UK, focused on improving care and outcomes for people with advanced kidney disease, particularly in the period leading up to kidney failure and KRT.