Kidney disease project is launched in Keighley (From Keighley News)

Kidney disease project is launched in Keighley

3:00pm Sunday 23rd September 2012 in Keighley By Miran Rahman

An innovative project is helping people in Keighley and Bradford with previously undiagnosed chronic kidney disease to manage the early stages of the illness.

The scheme is being led by the clinical-effectiveness team at NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds.

Patients’ conditions have been successfully identified by comparing blood test results over a period of time to identify how well their kidneys were working.

The clinical-effectiveness team had been helping GP practices to use new data searches to determine where further blood tests were required.

A spokesman for the project said: “Once patients with this disease are identified it means their GP can make sure they receive appropriate medication and manage their blood pressure, to slow down progression of the disease and hopefully prevent them having to go to hospital.”

Greg Fell, consultant in public health, said: “This has been a great example of MPs being innovative to help keep patients as healthy as possible.

“It means hundreds of patients who might otherwise have undiagnosed kidney disease are now getting the care and advice they need to manage their condition without needing hospital treatment for later-stage disease.

“We have had good support from MPs, and also from the Yorkshire Renal Network, and hope other teams may follow us and undertake similar projects.

“The results speak for themselves – more people are managing their condition and staying healthy and significant cost savings have been made by reducing future hospital care.”

The national clinical director for kidney services has given his support to the initiative. Dr Donal O’Donaghue said: “Treating hypertension effectively is the single most important intervention to reduce the high risk of stroke, heart attack and progressive renal failure in chronic kidney disease.”