The National Kidney Federation (NKF) supports recent calls from NHS Confederation and NHS Providers for increased capital investment in community care settings, warning that without proper funding, the shift to more community-based care for kidney patients may be unachievable. Following a recent announcement from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care abolishing NHS England we can expect a great deal of change. Amongst this change the shift to community-based care will be crucial. The call from NHS Confederation and NHS Providers can be found here.

This follows a survey by the Community Network which revealed nearly nine in ten community provider leaders lack access to crucial capital funding, impeding productivity improvements and threatening the government's ambitions to deliver more care outside of hospitals. For the estimated 3.5 million people in the UK living with Chronic Kidney Disease (Stages 3 to 5), community-based care is not just convenient—it can be lifesaving.

"The findings from the Community Network survey align perfectly with what kidney patients have been telling us," said Andrea Brown, Chief Executive of the National Kidney Federation. "Access to high-quality community care isn't just about convenience—it directly impacts survival rates and quality of life."

The NKF is particularly concerned that the capital funding shortfall could worsen existing health inequalities. Our own home dialysis campaign has highlighted significant disparities in access to home therapies. Without targeted investment in community facilities and digital infrastructure, we risk entrenching these inequalities further.

The NKF supports the Community Network's finding that two-thirds of providers see digital systems as a priority for investment. For kidney patients, digital connectivity can enable remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and improved care coordination—all crucial components of effective community-based care.

The NKF echoes NHS Confederation and NHS Providers in calling for national leaders to prioritise capital investment in technology and estates for community health services. For kidney patients, this investment could mean:

• Expanded home dialysis facilities and support
• Local clinics for routine check-ups and monitoring
• Community-based education and support services
• Integrated digital systems that connect primary, community and acute care

If you have questions about kidney health, you can reach out to our Helpline. The NKF Helpline is the UK’s largest provider since 1999 of kidney-related medical information leaflets, offering over 200 titles written by nephrologists for patients and carers. Call us for free on 0800 169 09 36, Monday to Thursday 08:30 am – 5:00 pm, Friday 08:30 am – 12:30pm. Find our helpline information leaflets online here: https://www.kidney.org.uk/helpline-leaflets