Renal support services
A renal dietitian gives food-related advice that suits people’s individual lifestyle and medical condition. Individualised information will be provided to patients with kidney disease. This may vary, depending on the cause and stage of kidney disease, the treatment that people are receiving and blood test results.
We are part of the multidisciplinary team based at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), City Campus. We also work at the King's Mill Hospital, Ilkeston Community Hospital and Lings Bar Hospital.
Victoria Armstrong- Brown
Food with thought - Download your free copy from www.kidney.org.uk/help/books-foodwiththought
The following websites provide further information on the role of diet and kidney disease.
If you are a patient under the care of a renal consultant you can contact the Renal Dietitians on the following number: 0115 969 1169 ext 57139
Renal Anaemia Team
Anaemia means that you have a low red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry the oxygen around the body.
Anaemia is a common problem in patients with kidney disease. The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin. This hormone tells the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. The hormone level drops if your kidney function is low. This means the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough red blood cells resulting in anaemia.
The anamia team manage the treatment of anaemia which affects patients with kidney disease.
Anaemia team – Di O’Donnell, Kate Taylor, Glen Weston and Kat Kalinowska
We use two main therapies:
1. Iron – either iron tablets or intravenous infusions of iron.
Iron tablets may be all that is needed in the early stages of anaemia and kidney disease. You usually take one to three tablets per day. Some people may feel sick or suffer from diarrhoea or constipation whilst taking them. If this occurs then discuss it with your doctor.
Intravenous iron may be required if the iron levels are very low, you have more advanced kidney disease or you’ve been unable to take iron tablets. It is usually given through a small needle into a vein in the back of your hand or arm. This would be done in the renal out-patient clinic. You may need one or two doses per year. It is usually very well tolerated and only rarely causes any side effects.
2. Erythropoietin (EPO) hormone treatment.
This hormone boosts your natural levels. It is given through a very fine needle injection just under your skin. We would show you , or if necessary your family or carer, how to do this. You can then do this in your own home. The injections would be necessary every 1 to 4 weeks.
Different brands of this hormone are available – Aranesp, Eprex and Mircera are the most commonly prescribed.
The anaemia nurse will arrange for your EPO to be delivered to your home.
Renal Young Adult Service
The Renal Young Adult Service supports young adults aged 18-30 who are living with kidney conditions in Nottingham and Derby. The service supports people who are on dialysis, have had a kidney transplant and those who aren’t yet receiving any treatment. Approximately 230 young adults use the service which is run by Terri, our Young Adult Worker. She is a trained Youth Worker and offers a different way of supporting you when compared with what you may be used to from your Doctor or Nurse.
Please download the leaflet attached below to see what the Young Adult Service does, what one-to-one and group activities are offered and how to access support from the service.
Renal Clinical Psychology
Living with kidney disease can have a significant impact on your life. Some people find it a difficult experience as they are faced with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a chronic illness. A clinical psychologist can help people with a range of issues including:
• coping with illness, treatment and/or side-effects of treatment
• making decisions about treatment
• self-management difficulties (e.g. taking medication, diet or fluid)
• difficulties with family or personal relationships related to having a serious illness
• problems with body image/how you feel about yourself
• feeling depressed, anxious or angry about your illness or treatment
• sexual problems resulting from your illness or treatment
• fears related to medical procedures, needles etc.
• assessing whether someone is ready to have a transplant
A clinical psychologist can help you to understand your feelings and manage these issues. This may involve different types of psychological therapy. If you feel this would help you, please speak to your nurse or kidney doctor about being referred to see our Renal Clinical Psychologist, Dr Emma Coyne.
Renal Peer Support
Peer Support involves kidney patients helping other kidney patients who are facing similar situations, as no one understands what you’re going through as well as people who have gone through it themselves. It aims to give short term practical, emotional and social support to people with chronic kidney failure, transplants and failing transplants, as well as to their families or carers, based on common experiences. Peer Support offers the opportunity to have a one to one face to face or telephone conversation with an experienced patient buddy.
For any more information please speak to your nurse or kidney doctor.