Shared care and self-care offering greater choice to dialysis patients
Published: 02/09/2022 09:10NHS Grampian has produced a short film, explaining and promoting the benefits of shared care and self-care for people undergoing dialysis. Since June 2021, shared care has been an option for patients coming to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for dialysis, enabling them to carry out some – or all – of their dialysis care.
Dr Laura Clark, consultant nephrologist and clinical lead for shared care, said: “Traditional, hospital based, haemodialysis has a very fixed and rigid schedule. People typically come into hospital, 3 times a week, for 4 hours at a time. Moving to shared care allows people to come more often, but for shorter periods of time, and at a time which suits them.”
Ginto Cherian, a specialist nurse at ARI, added: “Shared care allows patients to be active participants in their own care. This has an enormous benefit to their overall mental wellbeing – they are in charge, rather than having their treatment ‘done’ to them”
Dr Clark said: “Undergoing dialysis more often, but for shorter periods of time, can lead to improved blood pressure control and a reduced need for certain medications around phosphate control and anaemia treatment.”
The dialysis service at ARI runs 6 days a week and people taking part in shared care can come in for dialysis every day if they wish. There are currently 12 patients trained in shared care, three of whom now completely deliver their own care. Shared care is an option for any patient who is interested. They are guided through a competency programme, with support from the nursing team.
NHS Grampian’s Plan for the Future outlines the organisation’s commitment to working with people, to empower them and make them partners in their own care. Shared care haemodialysis is one example of that commitment in action.