Living with kidney failure can present many challenges and problems. It can significantly impact many aspects of life including relationships, finances, self-esteem, housing and psychological well-being. The renal social worker offers you and your family the opportunity to discuss these issues.

The best way to ascertain if there is a Renal social worker within a renal unit is to ask other members of staff or even patients already on dialysis.  For those who unfortunately, do not have a social worker allocated to their renal service, additional points of contact, for support, may be established through Local Authority Services, Citizens Advice Bureau and other voluntary networks. Furthermore, many local regions offer support via Benefits advice /housing centres. 

We are a specialist social work service and work solely with patients with a renal impairment providing both practical social care and emotional support. We work with patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease through all treatment stages. Accordingly, our role enables us to build long standing working relationships with patients utilising our knowledge of the impact of living with a chronic health condition and its effect upon daily life.

We can give advice and support on a wide range of personal, emotional and practical matters, working with patients, families and carers in their own homes, in hospital and on the renal unit.

Renal social work brings different skills to the renal team, complimentary to those offered by the medical team. Being embedded in the clinical MDT we are in a position to use these skills to help deliver a holistic, person-centred approach to care. 

Some areas of work include:

• Assessment for help at home, meals, warden calls and telecare systems
• Referral for specialist equipment and adaptations from occupational therapists, to minimise risk of accidents in the home, and ensure a person is safe
• Referral for Physiotherapy or District Nurse support
• Hospital discharge planning
• Help with finances (including debt) and benefits
• Liaison and advocacy on behalf of patients, families and carers
• Grants from charities/food bank referrals
• Help with housing problems
• Holiday grants
• Carer’s assessment and support
• Support for those who decide against dialysis treatment
• Support for patient and carers about palliative care
• Education and career support

As part of the clinical multidisciplinary team, Renal social workers contribute unique skills to support a holistic, person-centred approach to care. They provide wide ranging knowledge of community networks and resources and help patients and carers navigate support systems when faced with chronic kidney failure. They hold in-depth knowledge of renal failure and its impact on individuals, being aware of how this interconnects, relates to and influences a person’s social environment.