Non-surgical transplant renal units: expressions of interest invited for consultant members for NHSBT Kidney Advisory Group
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) host organ-specific advisory groups constituted by clinical leaders, wider multi-disciplinary team representation, and subject matter experts including histocompatibility and immunogenetics, statistical, hub operations.
The Kidney Advisory Group (KAG) is the key forum for clinicians and scientists to meet with representatives from NHSBT, commissioners and Departments of Health and others to review and develop policies, assess outcomes, and work with partners and stakeholders to improve outcomes for kidney patients.
The group will:
- recommend (as necessary),
- promote and implement changes to the nationally agreed protocols
- identify and promote areas of audit and research
- respond to and advise on or implement aspects of donation and transplant policy that arise from legal and/or policy developments both within the UK and more widely.
Current membership of KAG has one clinical representative for twinned kidney transplant centres in England/Scotland/Wales and a representative from Northern Ireland.
In the UK, approximately 65% of end-stage renal disease patients are cared for in a non-transplanting renal unit.
The pathway needs for patients commencing their RRT journey in a non-transplanting unit may differ from those in a transplanting unit; there is evidence of diminished access to pre-emptive listing and transplantation as well as LKD transplants for patients cared for in a non-transplanting unit compared to a transplant unit.
It is critical that KAG clinical membership can accurately identify the needs of and/or provide advocacy for patients cared for at non-transplanting renal units and ensure that policy decisions meet such needs.
Therefore, KAG recently approved a proposal to extend membership to include two consultant nephrologists from non-transplanting Renal units in the UK.
Expressions of interest are now being sought from consultant nephrologists with an interest in transplantation working in non-transplanting Renal units.
The two successful appointments will be formally inducted as voting members of KAG at the group’s next meeting on 9th June 2021 and the tenure will be for 3 years.
All KAG voting members are expected to attend bi-annual (usually June and Nov (23rd Nov in 2021)) meetings and there is no remuneration attached to the post.
The meetings are expected to be virtual or hybrid (with the option of members to join either face-to-face or virtually) with papers circulated at least 7 days before.
Selection of the two representatives will be made by the Renal Association.
Please contact the current chair of KAG, Dr Rommel Ravanan Rommel.ravanan@nbt.nhs.uk if further clarifications on the role are required.
Please could interested applicants submit a short curriculum vitae (one page) and a short statement (up to 200 words) outlining the basis for your interest in the role to renal@renal.org
Closing date 19 Feb 2021
