Kidney Support Groups

The Expert Patients Programme

The Expert Patients Programme is a FREE self help programme for people who llive with any long-term health condition, or Carers, designed to improve the quality of life.  In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, people who live with lots of different conditions come together.  Trained Tutors, who themselves live with a long-term health condition run a 6 week course of 2 1/2 hours per week. The co ordinator in Newport is a kidney patient who benefitted from the course herself. Courses are FREE OF CHARGE and are regularly run throughout Wales, please see website to find out about courses in your area.

web - www.eppwales.org 

Welsh Kidney Patients' Association - Cymdeithas Cleifion Arennau Cymru
The Welsh Kidney Patients Association (WKPA) is the patients own organisation covering all of Wales. We have been an all volunteer group since 1982 and a registered charity since 1995. Our elected management committee are mainly patients and includes one of our renal consultants. We have over 1400 patient members. Their President for South Wales is Professor John Salaman.
Membership of the WKPA is free and is open to all dialysis and transplant patients in Wales and their carers. A free quarterly newsletter is produced. WKPA have a befriending service and develop self-help groups for patients and their families to share information and experiences.

WKPA North Wales Contact: Mr Ken Hatley - 01745 730 783 - Mrs Jean Evans - 01745 331296
 
Web - www.wkpa.org.uk - Tel: 02920 742 735

Renal Info
Renal Info is for those whose lives are affected by kidney failure. Offering help, advice and support to people wanting to live well on treatment, the website covers treatment, lifestyle, diets and has detailed medical information on how your kidneys work.
 
Web - www.renalinfo.com/uk 


National Kidney Federation
The NKF is the only UK charity run by Kidney patients for kidney patients. Its aim is to promote, throughout the United Kingdom, the welfare of persons suffering from Kidney Disease or Renal failure and those relatives and friends who care for them. Website has full information on Kidney Disease and offers support to patients, families and carers. (excellent resource site)
Web www.kidney.org.uk

TalkTransplant  
TalkTransplant is a UK based website that aims to provide the most comprehensive, quality information about transplants to patients, their families and their carers. The site has a panel of advisors from both the professional and the patient side of transplant.
Web www.talktransplant.com


Transplant Support Network
The Transplant Support Network is a nationwide network of volunteer transplant patients and their carers, who provide locally based support for others coping with transplantation.
The aim of the Transplant Support Network is to introduce any patient, carer or family member to others who have been through a similar experience. We offer reassurance and companionship when it is needed.
 
Helpline 01535 210 101 - Web- www.transplantsupportnetwork.org.uk


Global Dialysis
Global Dialysis was created as a resource for dialysis patients who want to travel or holiday nationally and internationally. Their aim is to collect and provide as much travel information as possible for dialysis patients.
They have a directory of dialysis centres, and hope to have every centre around the world and currently have just over 10,240 in 115 countries. In addition, they have accommodation, travel agents, tours and cruises and travel insurance companies that cater for dialysis patients.
Web - www.globaldialysis.com

Useful Websites

www.dialysistips.com
A web site compiled by Dr. Nabieh Al-Hilali.
This site gives basic information about dialysis the information is limited and some people may find the language used a little daunting but for to the point medical information on dialysis it may be informative.


www.homedialysis.org
Although this site is American this is an interesting look at the history and development of dialysis and the machinery used taking us from the very first machines built in 1943.  The first machine used a 20m long cellophane sausage casing as a dialysis membrane wrapped around a wooden drum.  This site takes use right through to the modern dialysis machines used in hospitals and peoples homes.  Very informative.


www.ihatedialysis.com
Don't be fooled by the name of this American based website it was set up and run by a dialysis patient who wanted somewhere to make his complaints heard without censorship.  It is worth a look, this site will not suit everyone but it's no nonsense, no holes bared approach might just be what you are looking for.


www.noorfoundation.org
When you think things are bad with your life look at this site and be grateful that the treatment we get in this country is freely available no matter who you are.

www.emedicinehealth.com/chronic_kidney_disease
Although this is another American based web site it is full of useful information about kidney disease, treatment and dialysis.  Well worth a look.

www.renux.dmed.ed.ac.uk
Follow the link  Edren and this will take you to the information page where you can explore further. Although this web page seems to be directed more at medical students and doctors there are snippits of useful information.

www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/kidneyfailure
Although not specifically for dialysis patients this information page could be useful for general questions and basic information.