Final Impact Report

Practical support
HOW WE HELP
Experienced,
knowledgeable
and always
there to help
Information
leaflets and
guides from the
professionals
When you’re coming to terms with a diagnosis it can
be a difficult and confusing time. Your diagnosis
can feel like a bolt from the blue. You may feel
overwhelmed by information or desperate to find
out more. How will you work? What support might
you receive? Who can help and support you?
Our Advocacy Team are experienced professionals, dedicated
to helping patients and their families work through the many
challenges they face. Our team of 10 officers cover the whole of
the UK and have over 200 years of experience between them, as
patients or carers. So, whether it’s an experienced hand to guide
you through the system, the insight of someone who has been
through a similar experience or informed support and advice, our
Advocacy Team are here to help.
Patient information is critical in helping patients
to make the right choices, to feel they are well
informed about their options and care, and to
reduce the fear of uncertainty.
We are working in partnership with the Renal Association to
improve patient information. Working with kidney doctors,
social workers, dieticians, counsellors, and with our own patient
publications team, we started producing a comprehensive and
easy to understand range of information publications for patients
and their families. In 2017 the first ten guides were produced, to
Information Standard guidelines, with many more in the pipeline
for the year ahead.
Mark and Kerry Beecham have been
supported by Advocacy Officer, Sandy Lines.
“Sandy, I feel that you need to know how you have affected our lives since our first
telephone conversation just a few weeks ago. You are our lifeline and I’m not sure how we
would cope without you. I will always be grateful for your kindness. A very BIG thank you.
You are our shining star which never goes out.”
22 | Kidney Care UK Impact Report 2017