You will come into contact with a range of healthcare professionals. Here is a list of the main people you may meet. Not everyone with CKD will meet all these people.
GP - works in the community and will give you advice and information about general health conditions. Your GP may have referred you to the hospital. You will need to get all your repeat prescriptions from your GP, who will be kept fully informed by the kidney team.
Nephrologist/kidney doctor – specialises in treating people with kidney conditions.
Pharmacist – prepares and gives out medicines. Pharmacists can also give a lot of information and advice about your medication. They may be based in the hospital or in the community.
Physiotherapist – advises patients about keeping fit and mobile. The physiotherapist can also give you advice on exercising.
Practice and District Nurses – work in the community and may visit you at home. They may help you with injections and changing dressings.
Spiritual healthcare/ chaplaincy team – supports people of all faiths, as well as people who do not have particular religious beliefs, but would like someone to talk to.
Supportive Care Nurse Specialist – supports you if you choose not to have dialysis or a kidney transplant, or if you are thinking about stopping dialysis.
Surgeon – you may meet a surgeon before you have a fistula formed or peritoneal dialysis catheter inserted. A surgeon will also perform your kidney transplant, although you may not meet him/her beforehand.
Technician - part of the engineering team, the technician is responsible for the maintenance and support of the medical equipment in renal. Most commonly you will meet them if you need help with home dialysis equipment.
Transplant co-ordinator - the nurses responsible for managing the renal transplant programme at the hospital. They provide planning and coordination of all facets of clinical care for potential and actual transplant candidates and recipients. There are 3 different types of coordinators.
Young Adult Worker - involved in the support of young adults through their specific challenges.
St George's Hospital nursing staff wear different uniforms to distinguish different levels of role and responsibility. This webpage shows and explains this.