Kidney services

COVID-19: information for kidney patients at the Royal Free London

Important information about new treatments for COVID-19

New treatments are now available for people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell if they contract COVID-19.

The treatments need to be given to patients soon after they have a positive PCR test confirming that they have COVID-19 – before they require admission to hospital.

Patients eligible for the treatment include:

• people with chronic kidney disease stage 4 and 5
• people on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
• those who have had a kidney transplant
• those who are taking medications to suppress the immune system.

If this includes you, and you have a positive PCR test, you can contact your GP or call 111 to be referred for treatment.

The full details of the new treatments available and what to do if you are eligible are here: www.nhs.uk/CoronavirusTreatments

Those eligible for the treatments are being contacted by NHS England and the clinical teams at the Royal Free London will also be writing to some patients.

COVID-19 vaccine: third primary dose for transplant and immunosuppressed kidney patients

We are writing to all kidney transplant and immunosuppressed kidney patients who are now eligible for an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccination in light of the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The advice recommends that a third dose is given to individuals aged 12 and over who are taking immunosuppression medication. You are may be eligible within this category because you take this medication for your transplant or kidney problem. The third dose of vaccine can be given at least eight weeks after your last dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The extra dose is being advised as a precautionary measure to increase your immunity level and provide better protection against COVID-19. It is part of your primary course of vaccination and is different from a booster vaccination, which you will become eligible for in six months’ time.

You will receive a letter from us with details on how to book your third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information about the coronavirus vaccine visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccine: booster dose (haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) patients

We are writing to all dialysis patients following the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) states that adults who are on dialysis should have a booster dose of vaccine. You should have this booster dose any time from six months after your second dose of vaccine, so many of you will be eligible for this booster dose soon.

The extra dose is being advised to increase your immunity level and provide better protection against COVID.  As your dialysis team, we strongly support vaccination for dialysis patients. The risks of side effects from the vaccine have been shown to be extremely low and vaccination provides significant protection from serious illness or death from COVID for people on dialysis.

You will receive a letter from us with details on how to book your COVID-19 booster vaccine.

For more information about the coronavirus vaccine visit: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

General COVID-19 information for kidney patients

As a kidney patient, you are at an increased risk of becoming unwell if you are infected with coronavirus.

The government shielding programme has now ended and the government advises that you should continue to follow the same general guidance as everyone else, which can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus. However you might want to think about extra things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.

This could include:

• considering whether you and those you are meeting have been vaccinated – you might want to wait until 14 days after everyone’s second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before being in close contact with others
• considering continuing to practise social distancing if that feels right for you and your friends
• asking friends and family to take a rapid lateral flow antigen test before visiting you
• asking home visitors to wear face coverings
• avoiding crowded spaces

More COVID-19 information for transplant patients at the Royal Free London is available here: www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/services-a-z/kidney-services/kidney-transplants.

The Kidney Care UK website also provides a good summary of the current advice for patients: www.kidneycareuk.org/news-and-campaigns/coronavirus-advice.

What are renal services?

Our renal services team at Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital provides a range of treatments to patients with kidney problems and kidney failure as a result of having kidney disease, such as:

• general nephrology – kidney disease treatment for acute and chronic kidney disease patients
• kidney dialysis services for advanced chronic kidney disease patients to filter the blood from harmful waste
• kidney transplant services – for patients who have experienced kidney failure
• support services, such as clinical psychology and dietary support to help patients cope with the lifestyle changes brought about by kidney disease.

Further information

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the Royal Free London kidney team: 020 7472 6687, Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.

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Referral details

Referrals to the nephrology team can be made via a GP or hospital doctor. We regret we cannot see patients without an appointment. 
    

Tests to do before you refer to the hospital

Electronic referrals to the Nephrology service at Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust (Hampstead and Barnet) are made by a GP via the Referral Assessment Service (‘RAS’) as of 23rd March 2020.  GPs in Camden, Barnet and Islington should continue to use the EMIS direct referral pathway.  

Tertiary referrals from other hospital consultants are also available via rf.renaladmin@nhs.net

All referrals are assessed, and in many cases rapid advice and guidance is given without patients having to attend an appointment.  
 

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