The Link: Vol 10 No 10

The Renal Diabetes (ReD) Forum has been developed to support and drive forward the objectives of the growing band of nurses working within the speciality of renal diabetes.

There are many agencies and institutions supporting either diabetes or renal care, but none that have a joint focus. Renal diabetes is now widely recognised as a speciality in its own right and the management of patients with this condition deserves its own attention. The ReD Forum hopes to address this. 

The aims of the ReD Forum are: to standardise the care given to people with these two conditions by developing peer-assessed guidelines and protocols; to share best evidence-based practice; and to encourage the development of renal diabetes skills and knowledge. The ReD Forum also provides the opportunity for professional networking and collaboration of good practice.

Members are located throughout the UK and work in or have an interest in renal diabetes nursing. Plans for the future include a dedicated website and affiliation with other focus groups. 

The group had their inaugural meeting in October 2005 and now meet twice yearly. At the first meeting, discussions were held around protocol development and since then several have been developed, including: Haemodialysis and Diabetes, Screening for Early Kidney Disease, Lipid Management and Insulin with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). Other topics discussed and explored have included the need for dialysis patients to use only glucose meters that can cater for low haematocrit level; the benefit of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a measurement of renal failure; and at which stage of renal failure patients should be referred to a nephrologist. The next meeting will be held on April 25th 2007 at The Crown Plaza, Birmingham. 

The forum welcomes new members and anyone interested should contact Karen Marchant, (Chair and Founder) at The Richard Bright Renal Unit, Southmead Hospital, Bristol. BS10 5NB, email [email protected]  or telephone 0117 9596059.

Karen Marchant, Lead Renal Diabetes Nurse Specialist, Chair and Founder, ReD Forum