Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2016 to Question 28334, from which clinical networks and professional bodies NHS England will approach for advice; what plans he has to appoint clinical advisers in kidney care in order to continue to progress (a) the Think Kidneys programme, (b) ongoing work relating to acute kidney injury and (c) other work programmes that have been led by the National Clinical Director for Renal Disease for NHS England; and who will take over responsibility for delivering that work.

As previously set out, from 1 April 2016 NHS England will be supported by 16 National Clinical Directors (NCDs). In areas where there will no longer be a specific NCD, such as for renal disease, NHS England will secure expert clinical advice from its Clinical Networks and through its relationships with professional bodies and by appointing clinical advisors. Further details will be available shortly. The recruitment of Clinical Reference Group (CRG) Chairs, including the CRG Chair for Renal Services, is due to begin in April.

Think Kidneys is scheduled to continue until the end of 2016, and a strategy for the longer term is being developed. Wider work on renal disease will be taken forward through the specialised commissioning infrastructure within NHS England and through joint working with the Royal Colleges and specialist societies.