The Greater Manchester Kidney Information Network

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities Engaging with health conditions and volunteering is a great way to develop skills, learn, and to give something back. As a department, we want to offer as many volunteering opportunities as we can to patients as well as their relatives and friends. I wanted to give you a quick reminder of the existing[…]

Entertainment Coordinator Volunteer Role

Entertainment Coordinator Volunteer Role Two months on from World Kidney Day and I am delighted to say we are moving forward with our projects to improve the experience of people with kidney disease cared for by Salford Royal. One of the key things we are keen on is working as closely as possible with our[…]

Transplant Games – Q&A with Jenny

Transplant Games – Q&A with Jenny Jenny, wife of Paul, one of our Salford Royal Kidney Ambassadors, talks about her experience of supporting Paul in the Transplant Games. Read her perspective on the Transplant Games and why she thinks it is a great thing to get involved in! Tell me about yourself. My name is[…]

Transplant Games Q and A with Paul Reynolds

Transplant Games – Q&A with Paul Paul, one of our Salford Royal Kidney Ambassadors, talks about his experience of participating in the British and World Transplant Games. Read about his achievements, how the Transplant Games have helped him, and why he thinks more people should get involved! Tell me about yourself. My name is Paul[…]

Kidney Peer Support – Patient Story

Kidney Peer Support – Patient Story Joan, a peritoneal dialysis patient at Salford Royal, writes about her experience of providing peer support and why she thinks it is a great idea. I was a happily married woman with three grown up step daughters whose life was dramatically changed one day in 2006 when, as I[…]

Take on the Takeaways

Take on the takeaways With World Kidney Day focusing on obesity, what better way to give it the thumbs up by making over some much loved takeaway meals. Creating versions that are hopefully healthier and friendlier to the kidneys. Home-made fish and chips with mushy peas Ingredients for 2 servings 400g baking potato 2 tsp[…]

Salford Royal and the Transplant Games 2017

Hi All, It’s with great pleasure I am writing to remind everyone the UK Transplant Games 2017 are open for business with a deadline of Friday 12th May 2017 to apply. Here at Salford Royal we first started having a push on with the games a couple of years ago when they came to Bolton.[…]

Inner Skin – Poem for #worldpoetryday

SRFT Renal Dept. Introduces Peer Support Network

Salford Royal’s renal team is introducing a Peer Support network so that patients with queries, looking for support or simply a conversation with someone with lived experience of CKD have access to a friendly contact.  If you think you’d like to help other patients in this way then please contact Peer Support Nurse Jane Ascott[…]

Lindsay Upton: Her son reflects on World Kidney Day

This is a guest blog for World Kidney Day from Pete Dreyer, the son of the much loved and missed Lindsay Upton. I’ve always been someone who lives in the moment, or at least in the near future. I suppose I conform to a stereotype that’s often levelled at my peers in that sense –[…]

100,000 Genomes Project

100,000 Genomes Project With thanks to Jackie Evans, Mel Kershaw and Emma Wolfenden, a few words on signing up for the 100,000 Genomes project… I’ve taken part in several research studies over the years, the first being a comparative study of Ciclosporin and Sirolimus to which I enrolled on the day of my kidney transplant[…]

Immunosuppression prescription: Progress!

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” — George Bernard Shaw I’ve never considered myself an unreasonable man.  In fact at times I feel cursed that I invariably see both sides of an argument[…]

Better the Devil you know?

I suppose it’s human nature when diagnosed with a serious chronic illness to compare one’s self to others. Often I see posts in various renal support groups of patients stating that they feel family, friends, and work colleagues would be more understanding of their illness if they had cancer. Some even state ‘they wish they[…]

Jo’s Dreams, A Kidney Patients Charity

I have heard in the last couple of years a lot about the Willow Trust, a charity for people aged between 16 and 40, and it got me thinking, what about us that are older? Well not long after I was told about a small charity for all kidney patients, Jo’s Dreams. Jo’s Dreams was[…]

Complementary Therapy Patient Information Leaflet

For those dialysis patients from the units at Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Wigan who are unaware of the complementary therapy options available, Janet Cairnie has asked us to share the Complementary Therapy Patient Information Leaflet.  You can download the leaflet by following this link.

NIHR Patient Research Ambassadors

A message from Professor Kalra about becoming a Patient Research Ambassador The Comprehensive Research Network (CRN) is trying to encourage people to sign up to be patient research ambassadors in Greater Manchester. The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) is committed to raising awareness and involving more people in research and ensuring research is designed[…]

Complementary Therapy Blog – December 2016

Complementary Therapy Blog – December 2016 Hi everyone, We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Were you spoiled rotten? December saw a hive of activity and functions to attend. At the beginning of December I enlisted and attended a weekend course at the Christie Hospital in Manchester where they have many[…]

Merry Christmas from HKPA, MRIKPA and everyone at GMKIN

The Christmas Season is upon us and it’s both a time of celebration and reflection.  GMKIN has much to celebrate this year after winning a number of awards which all of you have made possible so when you’re reflecting, give yourselves a huge pat on the back and perhaps, for those of you on dialysis,[…]

Personalised Christmas Eve Boxes

‘Personalised Christmas Eve Boxes’                           Included in Each Box: Santa’s Key Reindeer Poop Candy Cane Chocolate Coins Colouring Book Musical Instrument Santa’s Certificate Toy Santa Chocolate Lolly AVAILABLE NOW! Contact Ann Hunt on 07769 713 087 for details or send Ann a Message[…]

Janet Cairnie’s Complementary Therapy blog

We have two more Volunteer Therapists cleared to start – one is to be placed at Bolton and the second one will be based here at Wigan. Your therapists are trained before they start their role in ‘The Medical Aspects of Kidney Failure’ and Haemodialysis along with what to do if a patient may start[…]

HOPE Kidney Patients Association AGM 2016

The HOPE Kidney Patients Association is pleased to announce the forthcoming AGM. It will be held on Wednesday 12th October 2016. See below for details and download the Self Nomination Form. Thank you from the HOPE KPA & GMKIN Team. hkpa-agm-notice-nomination-2016

Risotto for Weight Loss and Kidney Disease

Risotto for weight loss and kidney disease It is sometimes hard to create tasty meals which are low in calories and meet the specifications of a renal diet. Maintaining a healthy weight is important to prevent other long term medical conditions and meet the criteria for a transplant.  The following recipe is an easy meal[…]

Quick and Easy Couscous Salad

Quick and easy couscous salad Serves 2-3 as a side dish Ingredients 100g couscous 200ml low salt hot veg stock 2 spring onion 1 red pepper ½ cucumber 2 tbsp Pesto Method Tip the couscous into a large bowl, and pour over the stock. Cover, then leave for 10 mins, until fluffy and all the[…]

Potato Salad

Potato salad (Serves 2) The perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Boiled potatoes can be enjoyed as part of a low potassium diet, up to once daily. Ingredients 250g waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte, peeled (if preferred) and halved 4 tsp natural yoghurt 4 tsp mayonnaise 1 lemon 2 spring onions, finely sliced Method[…]

Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Caesar salad For a lower salt version of this recipe, limit the amount of parmesan cheese added to the salad, or leave it out completely. Without adding cheese to the salad, the total salt content of the meal is less than 1g per portion. If you need to restrict the amount of phosphate in[…]

Prawn Layered Salad

Prawn layered salad (serves 1) If you are required to follow a low phosphate diet, remember to have prawns in moderation only. Your dietitian can advise you further if you are unsure.   Ingredients 1 Egg 1 Baby Gem lettuce, shredded 195g can sweetcorn 1 carrot, coarsely grated ½ small cucumber, de-seeded and diced 100g[…]

Tuna Rice Salad

With summer upon us, hot meals are out and salads are in! The following tuna salad provides a versatile option which could be used as a main meal, an easy packed lunch, or for hungry family members to help themselves to whenever they want! Choose tuna in spring water as a lower salt option. Tuna[…]

Fruit Kebabs

Fruit Kebabs Have some residual heat left over on your barbecue? Toast up these strawberry and marshmallow kebabs. Hull (remove the tough stalk) from a handful of strawberries Thread 3 strawberries and 4 marshmallows onto a metal skewer Carefully hold over the barbecue turning slowly until the marshmallows are slightly toasted Allow to cool slightly[…]

Marinated Chicken Breasts

Marinated chicken breasts Meat marinades can be high in salt. Making your own marinade can reduce the salt and make it more suitable for people on a renal diet and for healthy eating in general. Here’s a simple recipe for a chicken marinade, suitable for those following a renal diet: 2 garlic cloves 3 rosemary[…]

Summer burgers for the BBQ

Home-made beef burgers for the BBQ Burgers are a staple to many peoples barbecue during the summer.  However those bought from the supermarket often contain phosphate additives and added salt, making them less ideal for people with renal disease. Making them with good quality mincemeat will reduce the highly absorbable phosphate additives, whilst also being[…]

Introduction to The Seed

Cristina, the initiator of #GMKIN, asked me to write a poem about relationships developed on #GMKIN to share at #UKKW2016. When I was first diagnosed with #ESRD eight years ago there were no local kidney information support groups that I was informed about or aware of. #GMKIN helps fill that gap. I hope people enjoy[…]

Janet Cairnie’s Complementary Therapy blog

BLOG 5 April 2016 This month started with an article to prepare for Leo Clifton the Volunteer Co-ordinator to place in this months ‘Volunteer’ magazine. It gave a description of my role and how I am recruiting and training Volunteers. The Presentations and meetings are going really well. So far I have covered West Lancashire[…]

Fish and couscous salad

Fish and couscous salad Adapted from British Heart Foundation website   https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-matters/healthy-eating-toolkit/recipe-finder/fish-and-couscous-salad This is a really quick recipe and great recipe for using up leftovers. Couscous is an interesting alternate to rice or pasta and is also low in potassium and phosphate. If you are on a low potassium restriction: this would be approximately 3[…]

No Salt Pesto Recipe

No salt pesto Pesto tastes great added to cooked pasta, vegetables, sandwiches and fish. Unfortunately pesto bought in the shops is often high in salt, this easy recipe is a nice alternative. 50 g pine nuts 2 cloves fresh garlic 150 ml olive oil 50 g fresh basil leaves juice of approximately ½ lemon ½[…]

New Complementary Therapist in Place

***First complementary therapist cleared and ready to go*** Our first Complementary Therapist is ready, willing and able. It’s good to have her on board – welcome to Ms Claire Gibbon! Claire has a degree in Complementary Therapies and she is so excited to be joining us. There will be no shortage of patients for her[…]

Controlling Salt Intake in CKD

Sarah Brook, a renal dietitian from Salford Royal Foundation Trust, has produced a great video on controlling salt intake for chronic kidney disease patients.

Fruity mint iced tea

Fruity mint iced tea Hopefully the weather is starting to get a little warmer and we are looking for refreshing drinks to quench our thirst. Commonly available soft drinks can be high in phosphate additives. This recipe is quick, easy and free from phosphate. The perfect accompaniment to the first barbecue of the year! Ingredients[…]

Spicy Spring

Recipes adapted with thanks from www.BHF.org.uk Recipes for GMKIN From Sarah Brook RD Spicy Spring As the weather heats up into spring, the SRFT dietetic department bring you some spicy recipes where salt can be swapped for spices. Low fat spiced chips Ingredients: 450g peeled potatoes, 1tbsp olive oil, 1 tspn lemon juice, ½ tsp[…]

World Kidney Day 2016 – Thank You!

I have been working with our young adults with renal problems for over a year now, and I have to say they still manage to surprise and inspire me, day by day. I want to take the opportunity to thank the incredible gang of young people in the Young Adult Renal Network (YARN) who made[…]

John and the big silver box

John and the Big Silver Box   Having been told by my consultant some years ago that my future (with a capital F) lay in dialysis, I was dragged down a long dark corridor, kicking and screaming, by a nurse and shown two machines, one large, imposing and scary, the other somewhat smaller and looking[…]

What if?

In her song Big Yellow Taxi Joni Mitchell wrote “…you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” – I’d like you to bear that in mind as you read this blog. Last week I attended the north west launch of PKD Charity UK’s Befriending and Peer Support project. Sadly, the event wasn’t as well[…]

Complementary Therapy on Haemodialysis Programme SRFT Update

Complementary Therapy on Haemodialysis Programme SRFT Update. I have been busy this month setting up to do talks/presentations for the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and local colleges. I will be speaking to students and trained therapists who may be interested in giving complimentary therapies to our dialysis patients across our 5 units. Talks have[…]

To glove, or not to glove, that is the question

Recently I’ve noticed in some other renal support groups that home haemodialysis (HHD) patients state they are wearing gloves. The home environment is different from a clinical setting and I began to question why these patients were wearing gloves. Firstly let us look at the reasons clinicians wear gloves: Rationale for using medical gloves: Medical[…]

Renal Training Unit – notes from abroad

As spring approaches and the good weather returns (we hope), our thoughts turn to holiday planning and possibly warmer climes.  At Salford Royal, we don’t want our home haemodialysis patients to miss out and traditionally, arranging holiday dialysis either in this country or abroad, was and continues to be dependent on finding a local hospital[…]

Professor Kalra in conversation about kidney disease and research

Professor Phil Kalra of Salford Royal and CKD patient Michael Lomax in a series of videos taking about kidney disease and kidney research.  I’m involved with a few research projects and echo Michael’s comments about it giving you a greater understanding of the disease but I’d also emphasise that, in my case, it has also[…]

Using CKD lab results

Researchers at Manchester University are running a study to improve how CKD patients view and use their lab results online.  Initially the study is looking for patients from Salford Royal or Manchester Royal who have been transplanted for at least one year.  Checkout the poster below for details.  There are links below the poster for[…]

Work Capability Assessment Guidelines

Below are guidelines on completing the Work Capability Assessment form.  It is recommended that you complete the form with a Welfare Rights worker especially if you are appealing a decision.  If you can’t read this document please email me on mod@gmkin.org.uk and I’ll email you a copy.    

PIP Assessment Guidelines

Below are guidelines on completing the Personal Independence Payment Assessment form.  It is recommended that you complete the form with a Welfare Rights worker especially if you are appealing a decision.  If you can’t read this document please email me on mod@gmkin.org.uk and I’ll email you a copy.

Easter Decorated Biscuits

Easter decorated biscuits Have fun with the younger members of your family creating Easter-inspired designs on these tasty biscuits.   Recipe (makes 24) For biscuits: 100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened at room temperature 100g/3½oz caster sugar 1 medium free-range egg, lightly beaten 275g/10oz plain flour 1 tsp vanilla extract   To decorate: 400g/14oz icing sugar 3-4[…]

Marmalade Bread and Butter Pudding

Marmalade bread and butter pudding   A good way to use up old bread, this bread and butter pudding replaces dried fruit with marmalade for a lower potassium alternative.   Recipe (serves 6-8) Ingredients 8 slices day-old crusty white bread, crusts removed 50g very soft butter 2 oranges 4 tbsp orange marmalade, plus 4 tsp[…]

Easy Easter Brioche

Easy Easter brioche     Try this alternative to hot cross buns for a delicious breakfast, or snack, served with jam.   Recipe (serves 6-8) Ingredients 250g plain flour 100g butter 2 rounded tbsp caster sugar 7g sachet fast-action yeast 3 eggs Sugar Method Tip the flour into a food processor fitted with a plastic[…]

Cheesy Hot Cross Buns

Cheesy hot cross buns   Why not try a replacement to traditional hot cross buns if you are following a low potassium diet, with this savoury alternative? Recipe (makes 12) Ingredients 700g strong bread flour, plus extra 5 tbsp for crosses and dusting 3 x 7g sachets fast-action dried yeast 500ml warm whole milk 140g[…]

Complementary Therapist blog: Busy, busy, busy!

  Complimentary Therapy on Haemodialysis Programme SRFT Update Hi again – well – the first full week back after Christmas and I was buzzing with ideas and wanted to get stuck in.  We interviewed our first couple of Volunteers and had positive outcomes. Hopefully after being processed by the Volunteer Co-ordinators Team they will be[…]

Cinnamon Toast

Why not try this warming snack on a cold, long winter night!   Cinnamon toast Recipe Tablespoon of butter/margarine 2 pinches of ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon sugar You will need to grill the bread rather than using a toaster Toast one side of your bread under a medium grill Spread cinnamon butter on the untoasted[…]

Fruit Salad

Looking for a healthy snack  but worried about having too much potassium? Fruit salads are a great way of having a low calorie sweet treat but you need to pick the lower potassium fruits. Pick a handful (80g) of 2 of the following fruits to make a tasty treat. My favourite combination is Nectarine and[…]

Pancakes

Pancakes aren’t just for Pancake Day and with some sensible filling options they can be enjoyed by all! – elaborate flipping optional. Easy pancake recipe – Serves 2 Ingredients: 100g plain flour 2 eggs 300mls milk ( from daily milk allowance) A little sunflower oil for frying Method: Place the flour, eggs and milk into[…]

Tuna Pasta Salad

Tasty renal meals don’t have to be complicated or take long to prepare. You can often make something simple that you can keep in the fridge and will last you several meals. Tuna pasta salad Ingredients for 1 portion 90g pasta – shells or twirls 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise – reduced fat options are available[…]

Pitta Pockets

Pitta bread makes a great alternative to a standard sandwich. You can fill them with just about anything and have them warm or cold. If you make a little extra for your main meal, use the leftovers to fill a pitta for a quick and healthy lunch e.g. leftover chicken casserole, meat balls, roast meat[…]

PKD update: PKD Clinic, Tolvaptan and ‘Befriending’ Event

An update from Dr Janet Hegarty and Dr Grahame Wood of Salford Royal Foundation Trust covering the PKD Clinic, Tolvaptan and the launch of a PKD patient Befriending project run by the PKD Charity UK.  For details please follow the link below. PKD update: PKD Clinic, Tolvaptan and ‘Befriending’ Event

Increase in kidney patients admitted to hospital with ‘flu.

Dr Janet Hegarty of Salford Royal Foundation Trust warns of a recent increase in the number of kidney patients admitted to hospital with ‘flu and reminds everyone to get their ‘flu jab as soon as possible.   Dear all This is a quick note to let you know that there has been an increase in[…]

Janet Cairnie’s blog on complementary therapies in the dialysis unit

My name is Janet Valerie Cairnie. I am 49 years of age and I have been married to John for 30 years. We have two beautiful grown up children and 4 grandchildren. In the past I have had mundane jobs in the secretarial field and have worked in a number of GP and medical practices[…]

Christmas diet advice for CKD patients

Each year many of us find our diets change for several weeks over Christmas. There are more parties, different foods in the supermarket and of course we can all be tempted by some of our festive favourites. For this reason, if you are living with Chronic Kidney Disease, Christmas eating can be a little confusing[…]

Alport Syndrome Information Day

Alport Syndrome Information Day My name is Rachel Lennon and I am a Paediatric Kidney doctor based at the Children’s Hospital in Manchester On Saturday 21st November we hosted the 4th UK Alport Syndrome Information Day in Manchester. The event was organised by the charity Alport UK and was a very successful day. Alport Syndrome[…]

‘Imagine what I could have done healthy’

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph just before the recent Rugby World Cup Jonah Lomu, who sadly died at the age of 40 last night, said “Imagine what I could have done healthy”.  That’s a scary thought given what he did achieve in the game but we should read more than that into those[…]

Audrey, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and dialysis ‘shared care’ advocate

My name is Audrey Hyde; many of you may have already come across me as I’ve been around the renal services for many years. Back in 1986 I requested a transfer onto the dialysis unit to see if I would like working in this speciality. Back then haemodialysis units were what we now describe as[…]

Patients can change the future of research

October 15th, 2003 is a date I celebrate with my family every year, it isn’t my birthday but to me it felt like a rebirth.  It was the day I received my kidney transplant.  It was also the day I enlisted in my first research study.  The details of the research escape me although I[…]

Research study into the effects of exercise on dialysis patients

PEDAL Is one of our EXCITING new studies being run from the Salford Renal Unit and the Bolton Unit. This study looks at the benefits of exercise whilst on dialysis!!!! Patients will need to meet specific criteria to take part e.g. being over 18, on haemodialysis for more than 3 months and able to provide[…]

Invitation to join Patient Focus Groups to influence Renal Research

Greater Manchester Kidney Information Network (GMKIN) seeks patient involvement from across Greater Manchester in setting priorities and refining kidney research in Salford and Manchester Do you want to influence kidney research in Greater Manchester? Are you passionate about patients and their families having a voice within their healthcare service?                 Improving care for patients is at[…]

Tolvaptan: A Game Changer?

It’s almost two years since I wrote a blog called Parental Dilemma in which I posed the question in relation to a genetic disorder “would you test your child or would ignorance be bliss?” The genetic disorder in question was Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) and it caused the complete failure of my kidneys[…]

Free

Free (For Lindsay) Although our hearts are heavy We pray that you are free Free from pain and suffering Of a life with kidney disease So spread your wings and fly Soar up above the sky To be with birds and the bees And look down upon the sea We thank you for your kindness[…]

Kidney Awareness Day

Please note: Registration for the Living Donor Event at Buile Park Hall, Sunday September 20th is now closed. If you have not already registered please don’t just turn up as space is limited and catering arrangements have been finalised. Thank you.  

Dialysis Patients – Can You Help?

We are looking for dialysis patients, carers and family members to take part in a research survey. Click on the poster below for further details. If you are interested please contact Stella Frost on 07769 718 573 or 0161 284 8889 or email stella@oraclefieldwork.com

Team Manchester at the Transplant Games, 2015

Zoe Dixon, manager of Team Manchester has kindly written a report of the team’s experience and performance at the recent Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Newcastle & Gateshead.  With many thanks to Zoe and Arthur Taylor for sharing the report. BRITISH TRANSPLANT GAMES NEWCASTLE & GATESHEAD 30 July – 2 August 2015 The Manchester[…]

Living Donation…the Elephant in the Room

This is a guest blog from Susan Gianstefani, @living_donor on Twitter. For me, being a living organ donor is one of the best things I have done with my life.  Since I first considered being a living organ donor, I have come to realise that it is by far the best way to help people[…]

Being in pain is a bit of a pain

There were so many great talks and presentations at the British Renal Society’s Conference in Leeds last week that it’s taken several days of reflection for them all to sink in. My mind however keeps returning to a talk from a junior doctor from Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, Louis Koizia. His excellent and[…]

Special trips for kidney patients aged 16 -40

Dear All I got an email recently from a charity that supports 16-40 year olds with serious health conditions. They have supported local kidney patients and their loved ones with ‘special days’ over the last few years. If you or someone you know is the right age group and has kidney problems – you are[…]

Abba, Dementia and Empathy

Cristina and I have given a few presentations about GMKIN in the past few months but they felt like rehearsals for the main event, the British Renal Society Annual Conference which this year was held at Leeds University. Our journey to Leeds didn’t bode well for the rest of the conference: motorway traffic jams, a[…]

Research at SRFT: My experience as a Clinical Research Fellow

Research at SRFT: my experience as a Clinical Research Fellow Hi! My name is Diana and I am one of the Clinical Research Fellows within the Renal Department at SRFT. My career in Renal Medicine started in 2011 as a Specialist Trainee in Renal Medicine. I have always been intrigued by the world of research[…]

Val on why she volunteers at Salford Royal

HI My name is Val and I am a volunteer working with the renal team at Salford Royal. Why am I volunteering? The first thing, on a personal level the bottom line is down to how I was raised, to always remember the importance of sharing my experiences and successes with others as a way[…]

Daniel’s blog, working as a shared care volunteer

My name is Daniel and I am a volunteer for Salford Royal Hospital. My role at the hospital is to teach patients how to do the first 5 stages of their own dialysis. I started this role back in September 2014 after being asked by one of the nurses if I would champion the project.[…]

From Wheelchair to Zumba …

In May 2008 I was told following a kidney biopsy that I had ‘cast nephropathy’ and that I would need dialysis within the year.  In fact my kidneys deteriorated so quickly that I started dialysis in the September of that year. At that time I was very weak.  This was partly due to the underlying[…]

Half full or half empty?

  My daughter asked me an interesting question the other day. “Is your glass half full or half empty mum?”. I thought about this and started reflecting on my life. Do I think that I’ve been dealt some unlucky cards? Well yes if I consider that not long after I separated from my daughter’s father[…]

12 Months

12 Months… Today sees the 12 month anniversary of my dates with Dai #dialysis shocking where the times goes but also the longest 12 months ever! If I’m really honest..the hardest 12 months that only 2 people really understand..Lee and myself. Putting a few things down in print..maybe to share my experiences/thoughts with others going[…]

Renal Research Event 2015

Patient and Public Involment – Find Out About RENAL Research This is another exciting Research Event following on from the Healthy Kidneys Healthy Lives Event of December 2013. We look forward to Patients, Carers and Members of the Public with an Interest in Kidney Research. Health Professionals are also welcome to come along to find[…]

Shared Decision Making for kidney patients

With many thanks to Kate McNulty for allowing us to share this video.  Shared Decision Making (SDM) is a useful resource to identify your options when you’re approaching the point where you need to decide which type of dialysis is most suitable for you.  It will also help you talk in greater detail to your[…]

The Message

The time has come it’s here again Where all are joined Women, children and men To celebrate and spread the word To hope we get our voices heard   For you see we all share one common bond We don’t have a magic wand Some are sick, whilst loved ones see us suffer It doesn’t[…]

Salford Royal gets grant to introduce complementary therapies for dialysis patients

Hi everyone, I am just writing a short blog to deliver some really nice news.  We have been looking at how to get complementary therapy onto all 5 of our dialysis units as part of the patient experience quality improvement work.  Wigan renal unit has some experience going back over many years of offering this.[…]

Be a part of it!

The British Transplant Games are taking place in Newcastle/Gateshead this year between July 30th and August 2nd.  If you come from Lancashire, South Cumbria, Manchester or North Cheshire and would like to take part please check out the details in the document below and contact Zoe Dixon who is the Manchester Adults Transplant Games Team[…]

Acute Kidney Injury: It is not just all in the name!

It is with some trepidation that I am embarking on my first ever blog. My name is James and I am a doctor training as a kidney specialist. When I qualified in 2008 I had the same perceptions as most non-kidney doctors; kidneys are the sacrificial lamb of many illnesses. Be it surgery, major infection[…]

Information sharing and where it goes wrong

I sometimes struggle for ideas for my blogs and often find that reading the blogs of others sparks an idea in my head.  This blog is based on comments I made to Anne Cooper (@anniecoops) about her recent musings on Information Governance and her assertion that the processes involved in capturing personal data aren’t always[…]

CKD Lab Results Research

  Stuart Powell and I attended an initial meeting with Lamiece Hassan and Paolo Fraccaro at the Health eReseach Centre (HeRC) in Manchester on Friday morning to discuss Paolo’s study into how best to present lab results to patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.  Following a brief introductory chat Paolo gave a short presentation on the[…]

What’s happening?

Hello hello, haven’t been here for a while.. Whats happening?..well dialysis is still a struggle (nothing new there!) no two days are ever the same. If an ‘ok day’ could be had two days on the trot, I’d be laughing! Plummeting Bp and flaking out..yay go me! 🙁 Anyone else encounter that!? Wobbly legs after[…]

Happiness

Happiness, where does it live? Am I happy? My first response is ‘No’ but when I seriously think about it there are many things in my life that give me a sense of what happiness is. Happiness is doing something for others, giving a gift whether small or large or of oneself. Happiness is sharing[…]

Atypical HUS – a story of tragedy and triumph

“To watch people you love die is very hard to take”.  These are the simple yet poignant words of a man who has battled with the ultra-rare illness atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) for around 30 years.  It causes sudden kidney failure and is rapidly fatal in at least a third of cases.  Those who[…]

The Ticking Clock of Routine and Twitter Friends

The weekend didn’t get off to a good start so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that by Sunday afternoon my mood was heading steadily downwards. We were supposed to be travelling to the north-east to visit my step mother-in-law in her care home but the snow that greeted us on Saturday morning put[…]

Dilemma

I experienced a problem that I have had in the past. I was wondering what or how others deal with it. This is what happened. I have a Fistula in my right forearm, it’s quite strong and tends to be quite tender. The nurse administered the lidnocaine which can in itself be very painful at[…]

Round and round the Mulberry Bush

I recently attended a clinic appointment at my local hospital Manchester Royal. Having not had the need to park in the old Grafton street car park recently I was surprised to find the original entrance closed and was redirected to what used to be where the exit was. On turning the corner there was a[…]

The Invisible Man

Christmas seems to have the habit of either bringing out the best or worst of emotions at this time. My daughter and I spent Christmas Day with my parents and whilst I enjoyed a lovely dinner and had some lovely presents I felt at times that I may as well have not been there. My[…]

Christmas Thoughts

Christmas Thoughts Once again it’s that time of year Where it seems one and all are full of good cheer Where everywhere we look It’s “Happy Holidays” from the cola truck So please remember, pause and think As you raise your glass and clink There may be others alone, sick and poor It’s not always[…]

Double Dutch

    I remember when I first started dialysis at the unit seven years ago that it was the first time I had been in a dialysis unit and as well as all the large different equipment, I found that many of the staff that were caring for me asked me questions that I did[…]