People Like Us Campaign Council

This Campaign is an attempt to voice the concerns that are never heard for all Patients who are all like us.  Patients who are struggling to get on with life, whether on dialysis, waiting for a transplant, or worrying about their care or the care of their loved ones. Kidney Wales believes such voices should be heard and given a sound system to those who can help.

We listen to patients every week and have a great regard for the medical profession and all who work in the NHS. We and all of us know that we do not operate in a perfect world but we can make it better. All of us believe and agree that a patient�s life can and should be improved.

Without the challenge and culture to improve our services we will stand still but challenging service providers in the NHS is not always easy when you are a lone or little voice. Patients feel that they may be thought as trouble making or a nuisance. Kidney Wales is prepared to take this worry and perceived burden. The NHS should be proud of the current work undertaken but should work with us in creating the future where services can be improved. At Kidney Wales we want to lead on the challenge but work with others to improve services.

The Views expressed in our reports are those of Patients in Wales. We cannot ignore them. Each patient shows courage and determination and we are here to give them more than a voice and listen but to show we care and want to help them better their lives.

We would like to thank the NHS in Wales and the Minister for Health and Social Services for assisting us and for encouraging the debate by meeting with us; and for the staff answering questions which we can only add to the case we are trying to make for patients. It is our view that we will only be world class if the facts are known and views discussed properly. The Staff in the NHS from top to bottom can make Wales even more proud by their work with people and those that care.

Aneurin Bevan once said   We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road: they get run over. Kidney patients want more action and do not want to be in the middle of the road. Kidney Wales Foundation wants to see Wales leading the way in renal services and this report is just one part of our contribution to improving the lot of kidney patients in Wales.

Action not words is what Patients want.

Ro y J. Thomas
Executive Chair Kidney Wales Foundation

Alison John - Leader of the Campaign
 
As leader of this Campaign it is important that as a patient myself I can help express the views of others in Wales who have experienced the ups and downs of kidney disease and renal failure.

Much is spoken of the care from the NHS but the real care comes from not only the doctors and medical staff but those around you family and friends without whom you could not carry on. This important factor is missed. Some do not have this support or have another voice promoting their claims or are simply not heard

I was fortunate to have a liver, heart and lung and kidney transplant. Kidney Dialysis for me was pure torture as it is for others .We must make life easier and it is not only about medical care but travel, intelligent discussion at all levels and the general feeling that as a patient you are taken seriously whatever your age.

I want to make a difference and I am encouraged by others and my colleagues in Kidney Wales. The road and journey seems long when you are lying in a hospital bed with your own thoughts as you press the cheeks of your face into the pillow. Tears and fear fill you but it is one thing we must ensure is hope for living while we can and the striving to carry on the simple things in life which we all take for granted.

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