One of our successful Renal Consultants is Natalie #NHS70

In honour of the NHS in its 70th year we are celebrating our wonderful staff.

One of our successful members of staff is Natalie, a Renal Consultant. Alongside her main role as a consultant, Natalie also holds the title of Clinical Director for Renal and Clinical-Lead for Home Haemodialysis. Natalie’s busy role working in one of Britain’s largest dialysis and transplant unit means she serves a population of up to 2.4million.

“I have worked at the hospital for 11 years, but it was four years ago that I became a consultant here and was given the responsibility for the home haemodialysis programme which was in its early stages.”

Haemodialysis is a treatment that replaces the work of the kidneys to clear waste and extra fluid from the blood. Previously, a person with renal failure would have to attend a dialysis unit three times a week for four hours a time to receive such treatment. However, thanks to advances in technology, a machine can now be provided to patients so they can complete the treatment at home, rather than visiting the hospital so frequently.

“Advances in haemodialysis treatment have made such a difference to the way we can manage and treat a patient with renal failure. Dialysis can now be individualised, allowing patients to fit the treatment around their lives or even connect themselves through the night whilst they sleep. It really does allow them the opportunity to take control of their life again.”

The machine works by connecting two needles from the machine to the patient’s arm, where their blood travels through the plastic tubing to the dialyzer. It is then cleaned and returned to the patient. Natalie says the machine is easy to use and can provide excellent treatment for patients with kidney failure.

There are now many scientific papers that demonstrate how home dialysis patients can have a better quality of life, recover quicker form each treatment session, and need fewer medications for things such as high blood pressure.

“The team have done exceptionally well in growing the provision of Home HD in the past three years with just 20 patients on Home HD in 2014 - now we have 85 – which has by-far exceeded our expectations! I feel incredibly lucky to have such a great team of nurses and staff supporting the Home HD team.

“We are also the largest NxStage Home HD programme in the world, which is just phenomenal!”

If that role didn’t keep Natalie busy enough, then she also has her role as a Renal Consultant. “The renal team is made up of 17 consultants and covers 9 peripheral satellite dialysis units and provide outpatient services across seven acute Trusts. I’m often based in Salisbury and Portsmouth running outpatient clinics.”

As Clinical Director, Natalie line-manages 17 nephrologists, where it is her job to oversee the day-to-day running of service, complete regular appraisals and job planning.