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Welcome to this month's edition of eNews.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Damian Fogarty on his successful application of Renal Registry Chair. Damian will work closely alongside Charlie Tomson over the coming months until he takes on the position in May 2010.
This publication highlights further updates on Swine Flu and the National Policy on Antiviral Medicines for CKD.
It also provides information on workshops and courses taking place throughout November.
Please read on for further information and updates.
Best wishes,
Lorraine Harper
Honorary Secretary
| Swine Flu
The expectation is that there will be a second and possibly third wave
of H1N1 infection over the following months. The Renal Association
Guidance has been and will continue to be updated on our website as
further advice becomes available. The Renal Association is working
closely with the Department of Health to ensure that any guidance is
based on the best available evidence and is reflects current national
policy.
The "Briefing and guidance for adult renal units in the UK during an
influenza pandemic" was prepared by the Renal Association Clinical
Affairs Board / JSC Renal Medicine and can be found here.
In England, symptomatic individuals will be able to contact the Pandemic Flu Information Line: 0800 1 513 513 to hear about flu and its symptoms. If their symptoms are suggestive of flu they should use the telephone or web-based assessment using the National Pandemic Flu Service, to identify whether they need antiviral drugs. If they do, they will be given a reference number entitling their flu friend to pick up the medication at a local collection point. Currently this service does not cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as the demand is not as great. The current arrangements in place in the different home countries are summarized here.
Patients in Scotland can phone NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24, patients in Wales can phone NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47 and patients in Northern Ireland can phone Northern Ireland Swine Flu Helpline: 0800 0514 142 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) for advice. Patients in those countries currently will continue to receive antiviral drugs, when indicated, from their GPs.
Please click here to view the letter from National Clinical Director for Kidney Services outlining the policy in England for the use of antiviral medication in patients with CKD.
Best wishes
Kevin
Dr Kevin Harris
Clinical Vice President
| Renal Scientist's Newsletter
In this months newsletter, we have an article from the new chair of the Renal Scientists Working Party, Dr John Reynolds. To read the article click here or go to our home page where you can read this and all of our previous articles.
Dr. Julie Williams
Translational Scientist/Laboratory Manager | Guidelines
The final draft of the clinical practice guideline on prevention of transmission of blood borne viruses in the renal unit (co-authors Dr Colin Geddes, Dr Elizabeth Lindley and Dr Neill Duncan) is now on the current guidelines page of the website. Click here to read. Feedback is invited to Colin at colin.geddes@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
The final draft of the peritoneal access module co-authored by an international group of experts on PD led by Dr Martin Wilkie is available on the current guidelines page of the website. Click here to read. Feedback should be directed to Martin at martin.wilkie@sth.nhs.uk
The first draft of the planning, initiation and withdrawal of renal replacement therapy guideline led by Dr Graham Warwick and Prof Ken Farrington is available on the future guidelines page of the website. Click here to read. Feedback should be directed to Graham at graham.warwick@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
| NSF Headlines September 2009 :Working for better kidney care
National policy on antiviral medicines for CKD
Dear colleague,
The Department of Health flu team has noticed that a number of renal specialists have been providing adjusted-dose oseltamivir treatment to all patients with CKD grade 4 and 5 who have fulfilled the standard diagnostic criteria for influenza-like illness. This may be because of inefficient communication from the DH team, for which I apologise.
Background. At an early stage in the development of the national protocol for antiviral treatment, it was realised that individuals with severe renal impairment would require dosage adjustment if treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu). The effects of the flu infection may temporarily alter renal function, making dosage adjustment less accurate. Oseltamivir causes vomiting in about 7% of patients. DH therefore decided that zanamivir (Relenza) an effective inhaled antiviral medicine, would be acquired for use by patients with CKD grade 4 or 5, as they may have difficulties maintaining correct dosage of Oseltamivir. This decision has since been reinforced by the finding that the H1N1v virus appears to replicate mainly in the respiratory tract tissues, and to a very limited extent in other tissues, even in severely-affected flu patients ... read the full letter
The quarterly Renal NSF update, September 2009, is now available. Click here to read it.
The Department of Health have produced a leaflet for the public to explain proteinuria. The leaflet aimed at patients explains the meaning of proteinuria, cases, signs and tests to determine proteinuria. It also covers how to manage diabetes and blood pressure with proteinuria. This is part of a pack of information on proteinuria testing. Information sheets for GPs and labs have been published on the Department of Health website. Click here to read it. |
 Arnold Osman, first president and co-founder of the
Renal Association. A cartoon from Guy's Hospital Gazette of
1935
Renal Association 60 years
1950-2010
Your pictures wanted!
The Renal Association is the oldest renal professional organisation in the world.
A small group of RA members chaired by John Feehally is beginning to prepare for our 60th anniversary celebrations next year.
We are hoping to gather as much photographic evidence as possible of our history.
Do you have any interesting photos of:
· past RA meetings or other events
· RA 'senior figures' [no strict definition!]
· anything else relating to RA and the development of nephrology in the UK
With your permission we would like to archive all these images for posterity in a digital format, and perhaps use them as part of our celebration next year.
I will gladly receive any material in any format by any route of transmission.
Please contact John Feehally - jf27@le.ac.uk ; 07843 278459; 0116 258 4132
| Basic Renal Ultrasound Course
Education Centre, Royal Preston Hospital
21-22 November 2009
Ultrasound has an essential role in clinical nephrology but most nephrologists have little opportunity for training in ultrasound. The aim of this course is to teach basic knowledge of ultrasound and provide a first hands-on encounter with ultrasound scanning of native kidneys, transplant kidneys and vascular access.
To view the course programme and to find out how you can register please click here
| Genetics in Transplantation Workshop
The Global Medical Excellence Cluster and MRC Centre for Transplantation at King's College London are delighted to announce a workshop in Genetics in Transplantation. The event will be held on Tuesday 17th November 2009 at the Royal Society, London.
Click here to read the full course description
| 
NephroRad
A motorbikers club!.
NephroRad was born some ten years ago with the deliberate intention to
bring together nephrologists from different Countries in the event of
National and International meetings sharing the common passion of
motorbiking.
Click here to visit the website | Member Suggestion Box If you have any ideas or would like to include an article or event in eNews, please contact the Renal Association Secretariat on 0870 458 4155 or renalenews@mci-group.com. | | | | | | |