The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, harmful and preventable. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in New Zealand and Maori and Pacific people have high rates of diabetes and diabetic kidney disease. The treatment of kidney failure is expensive – at least $150 million annually.

Over 80% of people with CKD are unaware they have the condition. Early detection allows treatment to prevent or delay serious kidney disease. Easily accessible, accurate and relevant information is important for supporting patients with CKD and the health professionals that care for them.

Kidney Health New Zealand, together with the Ministry of Health, has developed eight further web-based patient information resources. Five of the resources are for children with kidney disease and their families and the considerable assistance of Dr Tonya Kara is acknowledged. The other three resources related to coping with kidney disease were developed by Carmel Gregan-Ford, Education Manager, with the input from  a consultation group of stakeholders (see attached).

People seeking information on kidney disease and its treatment will be able access this on-line on the Kidney Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health websites. The information can be read on-line or printed off for further distribution.

Kidney Health New Zealand expects that this resource will complement the information provided to patients with CKD by their health professionals.

Professor Kelvin Lynn, Medical Director of Kidney Health New Zealand
Telephone: Christchurch Hospital on (03) 364-1828, 0274-376-542
kelvin.lynn@cdhb.govt.nz   www.kidneys.co.nz