HSE Kidney Services to Reconstruct the Life of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

HSE said that kidney services across the country are changing the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease and improving quality of life through effective care and treatment that fits people's lives

The HSE said it last year:

• 100,000 home dialysis treatments have been delivered to patients
• Over 45,000 hospital visits have been avoided
• Up to 300,000 hours to save patients time.

Professor George Mellotte, HSE National Clinical Lead at Tallaght University Hospital and HSE National Clinical Lead at Consultant Renal Chosidician, said: Country for treatment.

“That is why we have developed and funded modernized care pathways for home dialysis, which can significantly improve the quality of life of our patients, meaning that each patient with this type of dialysis can avoid 150 hospital visits per year.

“This care pathway provides enhanced pre-dialysis education and community support, allowing patients to take on this treatment choice.”

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease in Ireland is on the rise. This is related to aging populations, as well as new treatment strategies that help people live longer. Chronic kidney disease is more common with age, and patients are vulnerable to other medical complications. Diagnosis is a quiet illness, and although often unexpected, it can be easily confirmed with a simple blood and urine test.

“We are committed to providing a wide range of clinical practice,” said Dr. Colm Henry, HSE's Chief Clinical Officer. “The number of patients requiring treatment with dialysis or kidney transplants has increased by 30% over the past decade. The implementation of modernized care pathways for dialysis has led to increased support for eligible patients and the abundant life expectancy of in-home patients. In support of them, recent human organizational law should lead to more transplants by introducing soft opt-out donation systems and promoting livelihoods.”

HSE's National Kidney Bureau also produces it Medicine Illness Day Guidance Supports kidney patients when they are feeling unwell. Patients with chronic kidney disease are susceptible to dehydration and are at increased risk of developing acute kidney damage or injury. Certain medications can have further effects on this and patients are advised to stop certain medications. Illness Day Guidance was developed to help kidney patients recognize signs of dehydration and explain which medications should be stopped and when they should be restarted. The leaflet allows medical professionals to set up what a patient is doing and what they are doing for.

Nationally, some of the important overall figures for kidney services include:

• In 2023, HSE provided over 440,000 dialysis treatments. Of these, 100,000 are home dialysis.
• The number of patients requiring treatment with dialysis or kidney transplants in Ireland increased to 5,190 adults and 67 children in 2023
• The number of Ireland patients with functioning kidney transplants is 2,755
• The number of patients treated for dialysis is currently 2,502 (1,461 people undergo hemodialysis treatment at the HSE hospital-based dialysis unit, 736 people close the dialysis unit with HSE, and 305 patients undergo dialysis at home).