The Young Persons' Renal Service

The adult Renal Service is located in the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital, on Level 1, Gate 5 (to the left of Costa Coffee as you walk in from the main building entrance).

The Renal Service is made up of a number of wards and units: the outpatient department, daycase unit, peritoneal dialysis training department, haemodialysis unit and Gate 8b. There are also satellite dialysis units spread across the South West.

When we say ‘transition’, we mean all the planning that happens when a person moves from paediatric to adult services. The aim of the transition process is to ensure you, the people close to you and your doctors are all ready for the switch.

There is no set time when it has to happen. Instead, your doctors and nurses will decide with you when the time feels right for you to move to the adult service.

Most young people will have their first clinic appointment with Dr Anjali Menon, Consultant Nephrologist, in the transition clinic. This clinic allows more individual time for you to get to know the staff and workings of the outpatients department.

Maria Langdon and Lisa Tierney, Specialist Nurses, attend most of these clinics and are available to contact with questions around your medical care. You will find their number at the back of this leaflet.

Alison Jenkins, Renal Young Adult Support Worker, also attends these clinics and is able to signpost you to services available to support you.

If you have had a transplant you will then attend the Renal Transplant Clinics (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings). These are busy clinics and to make best use of your time, it is helpful to write a list of things you want to discuss to take with you to appointments. 

We recognise that the move from the children's to the adult service can be difficult and hope that having your own clinic will make the transition easier for you and your family. In response to this, over the last few years, we have set up clinics within the renal service specifically for young adults aged 16-25. These clinics also offer the opportunity to meet other young people with kidney conditions.

In Bristol the clinic runs four times a year with Dr Menon the Renal Consultant, a specialist Renal Registrar, Specialist Nurses Maria Langdon and Lisa Tierney, a Young Adult Support Worker, renal dietitian, and psychologist support.

The Renal Outpatients Department is at Gate 5, level 1 of the Brunel building. The Outpatients Department provides people with a kidney problem support and information about their condition. Routine tests can also be carried out here, such as height, weight, blood tests, and electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Clinics are here from 8.30am to 6pm on Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am to 2.30pm on Friday.

During your visit you will meet a number of team members, including doctors, nurses, dieticians, diabetic specialist nurses, transplant coordinators, clinical psychologists, and members of the patient education team.

The Renal Service is committed to research and has partnerships with several other organisations, such as the University of Bristol. From time to time you may be asked if you would like to participate in studies which may be going on within the service. If you don’t want to take part in research it is important that you feel able to say so and know that this will not have any impact whatsoever on the care you receive from the service.

From time to time you may need to be admitted to hospital because of your kidney problem. This will usually be to Gate 8b, which is on Level 4 of the hospital. If this gate is particularly busy you may occasionally need to be accommodated in another gate within the hospital. However, the renal doctors will always know where you are.

When in hospital you will be treated by consultant doctors, specialist registrars and senior house officers (junior doctors).Consultants do ward rounds twice a week, and if you or your family wish to see a consultant at other times, ask the nursing staff or make an appointment through the consultant’s secretary. You can often request to see specialist registrars and junior doctors on the gates. There might be a wait before they can see you.

Visiting hours are from 12pm to 8pm. If you need to have visitors outside of these times this could possibly be arranged by discussing it with ward manager. It may be possible for family members to stay overnight if agreed with the ward manager.

The Renal Dialysis Unit (RDU) is on Level 1, Gate 5 of the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital. The unit provides outpatient dialysis treatment to patients who live in the local area and people who need a doctor nearby whilst receiving dialysis.

The Unit has 15 dialysis stations and is open from 7am – 2am Monday to Saturday. There are 3 sessions per day: morning (7am – 2pm), afternoon (1pm – 7pm), and twilight (6pm – 2am) shifts. The Unit is closed on Sunday. Each patient has a named nurse allocated who has responsibility for their overall care on dialysis. Each dialysis station has a comfortable electrically operated chair.

Shared and Self Care is encouraged in the dialysis units you may like to take part in some aspects of your dialysis and go on to become independent in haemodialysis in a unit. The nurses will help you get to the level you want.

Satellite Haemodialysis Units

Satellite units are haemodialysis centres located away from the main hospital renal unit. They are managed by haemodialysis nurses. The six Satellite Units located in the Bristol/Bath area are:

• Cossham Satellite Dialysis Unit.
• Bath Satellite Dialysis Unit.
• Bright Satellite Dialysis Unit (on Southmead Hospital site).
• South Bristol Satellite Unit.
• Frome Satellite Dialysis Unit.
• Weston (Ambleside) Satellite Dialysis Unit.

The Community Team

Many people prefer to have their dialysis in their own home. We are able to offer people home treatment with haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. These home treatments are supported by the Community Care Team.

Jude Cornelius and Abi Bugler, Patient Education Nurses, are based within the Community Care Team and coordinate the patient information that is available in the department. They also provide information for people who may need dialysis treatment and help people to prepare for dialysis.

The Medical Day Care Unit is where short medical procedures, such as blood or iron transfusions, are carried out. It is on Level 1, Gate 5b of Southmead Hospital.

There is also a CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) training room situated on Level 1, Gate 8b (opposite medical day case).

As long as you are well, it is important to keep as fit as possible so that you have enough energy to live life to the full. Regular exercise will lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart problems later in life.

We recommend that you avoid contact sports where you could get hit in the abdomen, such as rugby or judo.

If you are really keen on a particular sport, please talk to the team before you start doing it so we can check that it is safe for you to do.

You can speak to the renal dieticians on 0117 414 5428 if you have any questions about specific foods to avoid or eat more of.

It goes without saying that smoking is not a healthy choice. Smoking damages not only your lungs but also your heart and blood vessels. People with kidney failure are already at risk of heart and blood circulation problems so smoking will increase this risk.

If you would like support to think about not smoking, please speak to the renal staff as there is a lot of practical advice and support we could direct you to.

Sponsored by Kidney Care UK, the Young Adult Activity Weekend takes place once a year at the Mount Cook Adventure Centre in the heart of the Peak District. It is a chance to get away and meet other young adults from across the UK.

The weekend is open to any young adult aged between 18 and 30 who has Chronic Kidney Disease, including those who have had a kidney transplant or who are on dialysis.

There are a range of activities on offer each year, including archery, nature walks, high ropes, rock climbing, zipwire, arts and crafts, social events and many more.

Meals, activities and accommodation are free. All you are asked is to contribute towards the cost of the transport to and from the venue. There is a minibus which takes the young adults from Devon, Cornwall and Bristol together.

“I have haemodialysis three times a week in a unit with much older people, so spending a weekend each year sharing experiences with people my own age going through similar challenging experiences is really helpful and encouraging,” Chris, 22, University Student.

For more information about the weekend, please contact Ali Jenkins on 0117 414 5213, or alison.jenkins2@nbt.nhs.uk.

The Transplant Games takes place every year in different locations around the country. Almost all games and sports are included so do think about taking part.

In August 2024 they are being held in Nottingham. Please check the website for up to date information:

British Transplant Games 2024 

Prescription charges

If you need to buy more than 5 prescription items in 4 months or 14 items in 12 months you will find it cheaper to buy a pre- payment certificate (PPC). Your local pharmacist can give you an application form FP95. You may apply for free prescriptions if: 

• You are claiming certain benefits or allowances.
• You have diabetes mellitus controlled by medication.
• You have epilepsy controlled by medication.
• You have a permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing, or requiring an appliance.

Kidney disease and its treatment are not mentioned in the law but because of the last item above it is usually considered that you will be exempt if:

• You have a permanent fistula, graft, or dialysis catheter that is currently being used for dialysis.
• You have a catheter for peritoneal dialysis.

If any of the above applies, you will need to get a FP92A form from your GP to apply for an exemption certificate. After having a kidney transplant you will no longer be exempt from prescription charges due to your renal condition.

NHS Low Income Scheme

If you are on a low income you may be eligible to receive financial help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. To do so, you would need to complete an HC1 form to apply for an HC2 certificate. HC1 forms are available from Job Centre Plus offices and most NHS hospitals. Your doctor, dentist, or optician may also be able to give you one. Alternatively, you can get an HC1 form by calling 0845 610 1112.

Whether you qualify for help is based on a comparison between your weekly income and your requirements at the time the claim is made.

You will qualify for a full help HC2 certificate (which includes free NHS prescriptions) if your income is less than or equal to your requirements, or your income is greater than your requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.

You will qualify for a limited help HC3 certificate if your income is greater than your requirements by more than half the current English prescription charge. The HC3 certificate shows how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

Certificates are usually valid for periods of between six months and five years, depending on your circumstances. Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) and other NHS help with costs:

Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs - NHSBSA

Personal Independence Payment

The PIP system replaced the previous disability living allowance in 2016. Since then, patients have been able to apply for PIP. This system has two patrts based on daily living and mobility, with a ‘standard’ and ‘enhanced’ payment rate in both cases.

To claim for PIP, you must be 16 to 64 years old. If you need help with transport or moving around, you may qualify for the mobility component. For the daily living component, you must be having difficulties in the following areas:

• Preparing/eating food.
• Washing/bathing.
• Dressing/undressing.
• Financial decisions.
• Communication.
• Management of medicines or treatments.

The National Kidney Federation (NKF) has a webpage which goes into much greater detail on this subject:

Benefits Information for Patients and Carers | National Kidney Federation

The following is advice for people with kidney problems about buying medicines that have not been prescribed by a doctor.

• Specialist Renal Pharmacists are available for advice on the wards and in the Pharmacy Department.
• Ensure the pharmacist is aware of your kidney problems and has a full list of your current medicines.
• Try to use the same pharmacy so the staff know you and your medicines.
• Some medicines you can buy may only be suitable for you under supervision from a doctor. Some of these are listed on the next page in the ‘avoid’ column.
• If you need to use a product frequently or for more than a few days at a time you should tell the doctor.

The following pages contain very brief general information about some common medicines. Not all medicines are listed and if in doubt you should talk to your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse.

Vitamins

Avoid vitamin A, vitamin D and cod liver oil. More specialist advice can be obtained from your dietitian or renal pharmacist.

Herbal medicines

Due to lack of information on interactions and side effects these are best avoided. Herbal medicines like St John’s Wort can sometimes cause serious side effects when taken with other medicines. If you wish to use a herbal product please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Aromatherapy

Some aromatherapy oils are unsuitable for use in patients with renal problems. Hyssop and rosemary oil should be avoided. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before using aromatherapy products.

Homeopathics

These are generally considered safe. Please discuss with your doctor or renal pharmacist before starting homeopathic medicines.

Useful books

• Kidney Dialysis and Transplants - Andy Stein & Janet Wild
• Kidney Failure: The facts - Stuart Cameron
• Kidney Failure Explained - Andy Stein & Janet Wild
• Oxford Handbook of Dialysis - Jeremy Levy, Julie Morgan & Edwina Brown

Useful websites 

Kidney Care UK

Kidney Care UK, the UK's leading kidney patient support charity | Kidney Care UK

Young Adult Kidney group (YAKG)

Young Adult Kidney Group (YAKG) | Kidney Care UK

National Kidney Federation

National Kidney Federation

NHS 111

Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111
Medical advice when it’s not an emergency.

Holiday dialysis information

Global Dialysis

Transplant and donation information

Home - NHS Organ Donation

CAPD Training (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) 

0117 414 8004

Dieticians 

0117 414 7555

Dr Menon’s Secretary 

0117 414 7707

Home Dialysis Team 

0117 414 8004

Patient Education Nurse  

0117 414 8004

Renal Dialysis Unit 

0117 414 3540

Renal Outpatients 

0117 414 1960

Renal young adult support worker 

(Alison Jenkins: alison.jenkins2@nbt.nhs.uk) 
0117 414 5213

Transplant Coordinators 

0117 414 7704

Transplant Specialist Nurses

(Maria Langdon, Claire Adams & Lisa Tierney) 
0117 414 5213

Renal ward 8b 

0117 414 4800

The NKF was set up in 1978. It is the only national kidney organisation for patients run by patients. It seeks to promote the welfare of patients and their carers throughout the UK who are experiencing renal disease. Funding is provided by Kidney Patient Associations, donations, and sponsorship.

Each year the NKF hosts a National Conference where several hundred patients and carers get together for a weekend to listen to specialist speakers, ask questions, and discuss problems or issues which affect them. The Federation publishes a quarterly magazine ‘Kidney Life’, which is free to members.

If you would like to know more about membership in the NKF, visit their website: www.kidney.org.uk/about-us/main-member/

This group is run by young patients for young patients aged 0-18 and 18-40 years with any form of renal disease in the UK. A quarterly newsletter is produced and there is a Pen Pal scheme and Talkline available through the NKF website.

Leaflets can be found in the inpatients department.

Contacts Helpline 0845 601 0209 – cost of a local call from a landline (costs from mobiles may vary depending on your network). Website: www.kidney.org.uk

This local charity is very supportive of the young people cared for in the trust. In addition they provide funding for our twice yearly social events as well as contributing towards the cost of transport to the weekend away. They welcome all new members. Website: www.bakpa.org.uk