Kidney Research UK and Royal College of Nursing come together to strengthen kidney care

Kidney Research UK and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have joined forces to develop a new resource designed to help nurses identify and manage chronic kidney disease (CKD), including among people living with diabetes.

The organisations have collaborated on a practical roles and responsibilities guide which sets out the actions nursing staff can take at different levels of practice when caring for people with, or at risk of, kidney disease.

The resource comes amid increasing recognition of the close relationship between diabetes, cardiovascular disease and CKD, and the need for a more joined-up approach to cardiovascular-renal-metabolic (CVRM) care.

Designed as a quick-reference tool, the guide sets out CKD-related activities and interventions across different nursing roles, in line with the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) professional framework. It covers roles from nursing support and registered nursing through to enhanced and advanced practice.

It includes guidance around annual long-term condition reviews, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) testing and the escalation of concerns, as well as identifying early signs of deteriorating kidney function.

For nurses working at enhanced levels of practice, the document highlights the importance of acting on clinical measures including blood pressure, BMI, HbA1c, uACR and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

It also encourages nurses to consider health inequalities that can affect the diagnosis and detection of CKD, engagement with services and access to treatment.

Swati Bhagat-Jones, multiple long-term conditions lead at Kidney Research UK said: “It has been a privilege to work collaboratively with the Royal College of Nursing to bring this roles and responsibilities framework to life.

“Nurses play an extraordinary role in the care of patients, they are uniquely placed to help detect CKD sooner and, where appropriate, optimise medicine and slow progression to kidney failure. More information can be found on our website Information for healthcare profressionals – Kidney Research UK.

“Left unchecked, the number of people on dialysis could grow from 30,000 to 143,000 in the ten years to 2033. 71% of people with kidney disease have high blood pressure, 35% have heart disease and the lifetime risk of kidney disease in people with type 1 diabetes may exceed 70%. There has never been a more important time to join up care for people living CVRM conditions.”

The diabetes connection is a key element of the resource, with nurses encouraged to take a holistic approach to CKD and recognise its links with other long-term conditions, particularly diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

For appropriately qualified nurses working at advanced practice level, the guide covers responsibilities including ordering and interpreting investigations, assessing kidney disease risk and referring people to specialist renal services.

It also outlines the role appropriately trained prescribers can play in medicines optimisation, including the initiation of SGLT-2 inhibitors for cardio-renal protection and ACE inhibitors where indicated, alongside identifying medicines which could potentially harm kidney function.

The document also highlights the importance of continuing professional development in kidney care, with advanced nurses encouraged to develop their knowledge of CKD and wider CVRM management.

Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea, UK Professional Lead Long Term Conditions Royal College of Nursing, said: “Nursing staff play a vital role in the prevention, identification and management of chronic kidney disease across a wide range of health and care settings.

“As the relationship between kidney disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease becomes increasingly recognised, it is essential that nurses are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to deliver holistic, person-centred care.

“This resource provides practical guidance aligned to levels of nursing practice, helping nursing staff understand their role in identifying risk factors, supporting early intervention, promoting self-management and ensuring timely escalation where needed.”

By bringing together kidney expertise and the nursing profession, Kidney Research UK and the RCN hope the resource will support earlier identification, appropriate escalation and more joined-up management of CKD.