Keeping Dialysis Patients Warm & Well

WWU and the named gas networks, are intending to direct award a contract for the provision of a nationwide service for a lifeline to dialysis patients. This is aligned to our Customer Vulnerability Strategy which focusses on supporting priority customer groups. This will be funded through our Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), which allows the gas networks to provide additional support to vulnerable customers and to promote carbon monoxide awareness. This contract will deliver specialist, non clinical support embedded within NHS renal units across the UK, alongside a dedicated, national telephone support line. Working with the GDNs, KCUK will directly address the significant medical, financial and social pressures faced by people living with chronic kidney disease by delivering a coordinated set of high impact support activities designed to improve safety, stability and quality of life for vulnerable households across the GDN regions. Building on Kidney Care UK's established national infrastructure and existing partnership with the GDNs, the service will provide immediate and long-term assistance through an integrated model of financial, emotional, practical and energy safeguarding support. Services include: • Direct financial support through KCUK hardship grants programme • Income maximisation, including specialist advice on welfare entitlement and PIP • Mitigating cost of living challenges with advice and support to access utility tariffs, energy consumption, and transport costs • Tailored money and energy support • KCUK holiday grants • Free renal counselling • Free, high quality patient information • Peer support through our Young Adult Kidney Group (16-30) • PSR referrals • Carbon monoxide awareness • CKD training for GDN teams and visits to renal units