Local renal unit starts trial allowing patients to take a more active role
The renal dialysis team at the Countess of Chester Hospital has begun a small pilot of the national Shared Care programme that aims to give people on dialysis more choice and control over their treatment. The scheme, offered to patients who want to take part, provides training, support and clinical supervision so that individuals can become involved in selected parts of their care.
Staff say the initiative is intended to help patients feel more informed and confident about dialysis, and to provide an option for those who want a greater role in day-to-day treatment tasks. Participation is entirely voluntary and patients decide what they want to do and the pace at which they progress.
- Pilot size: four patients have been selected to take part initially.
- Staff training: three team members at the unit have completed specialist Shared Care training to support the pilot and help train colleagues.
- Range of activities: patients can choose simple tasks such as helping set up the dialysis machine, taking basic observations, learning about how dialysis works and, if they wish, inserting their own dialysis needles.
Clinical leaders involved with the programme emphasise safety and reassurance. All activity is carried out under professional supervision and staff will provide full training and support throughout the pilot to ensure tasks are completed safely.
"My confidence has changed for the better - it's given me more understanding and made me feel better about dialysis,"
The comment comes from a local patient who has been receiving dialysis at the Trust for almost a decade and is among those taking part in the Shared Care trial. She described gaining insight into how the machine works and helping with aspects of the treatment, including passing equipment and supporting a step called ‘washback’, where the blood is returned to the body. She also praised the support from staff and the chance to learn new skills.
What this means for patients and the local service
For many people, dialysis can feel like a process over which they have little control. The Shared Care model is designed to change that dynamic by offering an option for involvement that could improve patient understanding and empower those who want to manage parts of their care.
Locally, the scheme may have broader implications for how the renal unit organises care and allocates staff time. If the pilot proves successful, training more staff within the unit to support Shared Care could become part of routine practice, potentially changing the balance of responsibilities between patients and clinicians for selected tasks.
Trust leaders have not announced a timeline for expansion beyond the four-person pilot, but the early roll-out shows the Countess of Chester Hospital is participating in the national programme aimed at increasing patient choice within dialysis services.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pilot patients | 4 |
| Staff with specialist training | 3 |
| Programme | National Shared Care initiative |
For patients considering involvement, the key assurances are that participation is optional, that they can choose which tasks to undertake, and that healthcare professionals will remain responsible for clinical oversight. The initiative reflects a wider NHS interest in models of care that offer patients more autonomy where appropriate.
Local dialysis patients and their families will be watching closely to see whether the programme enhances confidence and understanding without compromising safety or adding undue burden on staff. The early accounts from participants taking part in the pilot are positive about the benefits of increased knowledge and a greater sense of control.
