The Renal Network is made up of clinicians (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals), health managers and consumers (patients and care partners) working together to improve the delivery of renal healthcare in NSW.
We aim to improve the experiences and outcomes of adults and children with kidney disease, as well as their clinicians. We advocate strongly for shared decision-making.
Network structure
The Renal Network executive committee is led by three co-chairs.
Peter Choi
Medical Co-Chair
Brad Rossiter, OAM
Consumer Co-Chair
Currently vacant
Nurse Co-Chair
Focus areas
We work on several areas of inpatient and outpatient renal healthcare.
- Treatment options and pathways (dialysis, conservative kidney management and transplant) for kidney failure
- Acute renal care
- Renal supportive care for stage 4 and 5 patients on any pathway with symptoms and/or suffering
- Tailored services for all renal units, regardless of size and location
- Children transitioning to adult renal services
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander renal health
- All aspects of renal disease, such as glomerulonephritis, genetics and prevention
Why renal care matters
Chronic kidney disease is common, costly and often detected too late to be reversible. It is largely preventable because many of its risk factors, such as high blood pressure, tobacco smoking, obesity and impaired glucose regulation, are modifiable. Acute kidney injury and all aspects of nephrology can be complex and involve coordination with other specialties.
How to improve health outcomes
- Encourage early treatment of chronic kidney disease. Patients in the early stages may have no symptoms, but much can be done to prevent progression of the disease.
- Improve early recognition and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They are twice as likely to have chronic kidney disease as non-Aboriginal people.
- Provide effective treatment for diabetes. About 4 in 10 cases of chronic kidney disease are caused by diabetes.1
Join the network
We encourage clinicians, managers, patients and care partners to contribute their experiences and expertise to the network to collaborate or co-design resources and renal services.
Be informed and involved in improving the care and quality of life of people with renal disease.
Contact the Renal Network
1. Healthdirect. Chronic kidney disease. May 2023 [cited July 2023].