We pay for an Information and Advice Service with Exeter CAB, enabling members to have a bespoke service for dialysis/transplant patients. We do this as we have no social worker and patients can now get the best advice on a number of aspects of life on dialysis/post-transplant, including financial (e.g. benefits) and legal issues.
We fund apart of CKD Clinical Nurse Specialist and Renal Young Adult/Transition Nurse) salary because we believe that her position is vital to enable people to manage their way through dialysis, and realise their potential. She hosts many events including activity breaks for members.
We provide and replace televisions/remotes on the units - there are approx. 36 (Sid ward-Heavitree-Honiton-Barnstaple-Torbay).Remotes alone cost approx £1000 per year, including a rolling schedule of replacements (the NHS do not pay for televisions).
We distribute a newsletter and maintain the EDKPAwebsite for renal patients. The newsletter is our main means of communicating with our members. Whilst we have cut costs as far as possible by sending this out by email some members still prefer hard copies with the additional costs that involves.
We provide Social, fundraising and raising awareness events: For example, the summer party, organ awareness week and numerous other events.
We also provide one-off purchases and grants e.g. the purchase of dialysis machine and other essential hospital equipment.