Website of the Department of Health

Latest updates

18/01/2010: Kidney dialysis: developing costs to deliver an equitable and high quality service

The working group looking at Payment by Results for renal dialysis has produced a report of its work. The report will feed into work being taken forward to develop a best practice tariff for kidney dialysis services.

• Kidney dialysis: developing costs to deliver an equitable and high quality service

26/08/2009: Identifying unhealthy kidneys. What do l need to know about proteinuria?

This leaflet aimed at patients explains the meaning of proteinuria, cases, signs and tests to determine proteinuria. It also covers how to manage diabetes and high blood pressure with proteinuria.

• Information leaflet

30/6/2009: End of life care in advanced kidney disease: a framework for implementation

NHS Kidney Care have published 'End of life care in advanced kidney disease: a framework for implementation'. The document outlines how commissioners and clinicians can work with patients and carers to raise the quality of end of life care for kidney patients.

• New framework set to boost quality of care for kidney patients
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Vascular programme briefing packs

Published: 29/04/2009

This revised vascular programme briefing pack provides the ten strategic health authorities with an assessment of progress, opportunities and future challenges in key areas of vascular disease.

• Vascular programme briefing packs

World Kidney Day - 12 March 2009

World Kidney Day, 12th March 2009, is a global initiative to raise awareness of the importance of encouraging the public to maintain good kidney health. Kidney disease is on the increase and in many cases poor dietary and lifestyle habits are responsible. This year’s campaign will focus on the importance of high blood pressure as one of the key symptoms and causes of kidney disease. More information can be found at

• World Kidney Day (opens new window)

12 March 2009

Information sheets have been produced for laboratories and for GPs on detecting and quantifying proteinuria in adults using ACR (albumin-creatinine ratio), as recommended by NICE. The information sheets summarise the benefits of using ACR and provide practical guidance on its use.

• Detecting and quantifying proteinuria in adults using ACR: information for laboratories and for GPs