Nephrology
Our Nephrology service provides inpatient, day care and outpatient care for children and young people with kidney disease. As most kidney conditions are chronic (long lasting, or frequently occuring) our patients are generally part of the service for a long time.
Our services include medical treatment, dialysis, and follow-up of kidney transplant patients. We do not offer kidney transplants at Alder Hey but work closely with the hospital services in Manchester that do.
Transition to adult services
Patients with chronic kidney problems generally transfer to adult services at 16 – 18 years of age, depending upon individual needs. Early preparation is an important part of transition, so we begin preparing patients in advance, sometimes when they are as young as 14.
Information for professionals: Referrals
Referrals are accepted from GPs and Paediatricians throughout the region and North Wales. Patients are referred for various different reasons, such as:
- Acute kidney injury; a sudden loss, usually temporary, of kidney function
- Chronic kidney disease; long term reduced kidney function, often a high blood creatinine level
- Haematuria (blood loss in the urine)
- Kidney stones
- Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections
- Proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome (protein loss in urine)
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)
- Cystic kidney disease and other kidney malformation
- Abnormalities of body fluids, electrolytes and acid levels
Since the early 1990’s, Alder Hey has collaborated with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary in a supra-regional paediatric kidney transplant programme.
Acute and chronic renal replacement therapy is provided. For long term patients both in-centre haemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis are fully supported. Preparation for, and follow up of kidney transplant recipients is undertaken. The department also provides plasma exchange therapy and support for premature infants with kidney problems at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Meet the Team
Teamwork
As well as medical staff, the multi-disciplinary team is comprised of ward nurses, specialist dialysis nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, specialist dieticians, a pharmacist, clinical psychologist and hospital play therapists. The team works closely with surgical colleagues in the Department of Urology to provide integrated treatment for patients with complex urinary tract abnormalities. Support for children who develop kidney problems when under the care of other teams, particularly the intensive care unit, cardiology, rheumatology and oncology, is provided.
Our Consultants
Dr Richard Holt
Dr Caroline A Jones
Dr Henry Morgan
Dr Louise Oni
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Allison Birch
Associate Nurse Specialist
Tracy Daglar
Dieticians
Alison Holmes
Marianne Croft
Psychologist
Clare Chamberlain-Parr
Play Specialists
Jackie Glover
Elaine Richardson
Pharmacist
Catrin Barker
Contact us
Please call
