Renal Nurse Education :: North West Kidney Network

The renal nurse education workstream is lead by Helen Hurst Professor of Nursing and Consultant Nurse Salford Royal and Secretary of Association of Nephrology Nurses, UK Kidney Association honorary member. Libby Critchley supports this workstream as the North West Kidney Network Lead Nurse and Quality Improvement Manager.

Regional renal nurse education scoping work has been completed with the final report being presented at the NWKN board and ANN UK national colleagues.

The development and planning of a renal education and skills framework will be supported by national renal body ANN UK, working collaboratively has national and regional benefits for the future design of renal nurse education and structure. It is planned for a Masters of Research to be supported by ANN UK and led by the NWKN education workstream team.

Understand the current provision, pathways and expectations of renal nursing education in the NW
System review of renal nurse education frameworks or pathways
Create a nationally recognised renal nurse pathway
Scope the current NW workforce

To understand the current ICHD education pathway
Engage with renal unit practice education facilitators and CPD leads for renal hub centres to understand regional gaps in educational practices and align support with the renal centres
Collaborate with renal governing bodies and organisations to commence work on the creation of a nationally recognised renal nurse education pathway

The workstream began in June 2023 the workstream has:

Scoped education and created valuable educational links to the NWKN within the NW.
Hosted a NW renal workforce and education day targeted to all levels of renal nurse across the NW.
Completed face to face workforce and education incentre reviews with management teams from nine units across the three ICB areas.
Hosted the first of a series of action learning sets (ALS) within the region in collaboration with the five hub unit Practice Educators/ Education Facilitators and education link specialist nurses. The ALS series launched in February 2025 and so it is its vital initial stages.

A survey was conducted across the northwest network to all nurses working in kidney care to establish current training completed and access to training. 88 responded, a small proportion of the entire workforce but representation across the different ICBs.

As part of the scoping exercise and the work being conducted on workforce, the team asked specific questions when visiting dialysis and other units across the network. There was an overwhelming consensus of the need to standardise and improve access to learning and development, with many centres developing their own courses and competency frameworks. Whilst this is commendable the need for a more standardised approach was recognised.

Workforce and Education Workstream Future.jpg

Collaboration with ANN UK on renal nurse education skills framework.
Action learning set completion with renal practice education facilitators to explore regionally identified areas of future focus supported by NWKN education workstream.
Local engagement with CPD leads.