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We understand how challenging living with kidney disease can be, and so we provide our kidney patients with the support of a specialist team of dieticians and psychologists, as well as pharmacists who can advise on your kidney disease medication.
Dietary advice
Our renal dieticians offer tailored advice to patients with chronic kidney disease on the best dietary changes to help you manage your condition, which is based around the foods that you already regularly eat.
We have a range of diet sheets available and your dietician will provide you with the most appropriate ones in line with your individual needs.
Caution should be taken when seeking advice on a diet for kidney disease from the internet, as often the information can be conflicting and may not be appropriate.
To be referred to the dietitians, please speak with your consultant or renal nurse.
Psychological support
The renal health and counselling psychology service is renowned for helping kidney patients who need psychological support relating to living with kidney disease, such as help with:
- adjusting to or accepting your kidney problems
- making difficult treatment choices, like whether to have dialysis or a transplant
- difficulties with taking medications and following medical advice
- adapting to, or changing, treatments like kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant
- stress and mood issues arising from changes in your health
We also provide in-depth psychological assessment for people being considered for kidney transplant and for altruistic kidney donors (a living person who donates their kidney to someone they do not know).
Contact the renal psychologists on 020 7794 0500 ext 37571 for self-referrals, or speak to your renal team who can refer you directly.
Pharmacy support
As kidney patients often require many medications, our pharmacy team can help with:
- compliance aids that prompt you to take your medications
- ensuring you get the right medications at the right dose, offering recommendations on the best treatment available
- medication counselling to ensure you are knowledgeable about your prescriptions.
Our young persons' service supports 16 to 30-year-olds who are living with kidney problems and attend our adult renal unit.
The service provides one-to-one and group support and advice on a wide range of topics and aims to help you with other challenges you may be facing alongside your health condition.
One-to-one support
Our young adult workers provide one-to-one support with various challenges our patients may be facing, including:
- starting university
- moving to adult services
- money advice — managing finances and benefits
- housing
- education
- relationships
- sexual health
- adjusting to their health condition
- mental health
We do provide support with several other topics, and if we are not able to help then we can usually put you in touch with someone who can.
How can I access the young persons' service?
You can access one-to-one support by contacting our young adult workers by calling 07508 660 145 or 07929 789 175, or by emailing rf-tr.
The Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients’ Association (RFHKPA) is a registered charity (number 277711).
It is run entirely on a voluntary basis and membership is open to all Royal Free London renal patients.
The RFHKPA represents the interests of and raises issues on behalf of Royal Free London renal patients.
It has patient representatives in satellite units at Tottenham Hale Kidney Centre, St Pancras Hospital, Edgware Community Hospital and Barnet Hospital.
RFHKPA provides advice and directs patients to appropriate services or organisations. It works closely with social workers to provide funds for patients undergoing hardship.
The RFHKPA also organises fundraising activities, collects donations and makes responsible spending donations.
It produces information literature and organises patient and family social events and day trips, as well as promoting national renal events.
The funds donated are used to purchase medical equipment to help renal patients have improved outcomes, purchase equipment to make patients’ lives more bearable and to support hardship or personal development cases.
Contact information
Nii Plange (chairman): 07725 347 925
Jill Slann (membership secretary): 020 8886 1483
Louis Toussaint (unit representative): 07761 000 387
Peter Czwartos (treasurer): 07984 631 556 or email pczwartos
David Myers (life-president): rfhkpa
All committee members are voluntary helpers. Phone calls or emails will be returned as soon as possible.
Kidney Care UK
Kidney Care UK is a leading kidney patient support charity providing advice, support and assistance to people every year.
They have plenty of information about kidney conditions, treatments, medication and general advice about living with kidney disease. They also have information about diet, fluid and exercise.
Tel: 01420 541 424
Citizens Advice
Provides advice on benefits you can receive due to illness or disability.
Tel: 0800 144 8848
Kidney Patient Guide
Provides information for kidney patients and those who care for them.
