Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) increase research into kidney disease and (b) raise public awareness of (i) early detection and (ii) prevention strategies to reduce the risk of progression to kidney failure.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and social care, including kidney disease. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Funding opportunities are openly published on the NIHR website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

Universities and other stakeholders can propose research topics to the NIHR via the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

As of 21 May 2025, in the last five financial years, the NIHR has spent £37,529,199 in direct research on kidney disease.

The National Health Service raises awareness about kidney disease, most recently through locally led World Kidney Day campaigns. The NHS also runs locally led initiatives on testing kidney health, raising awareness about kidney health in at risk populations, and also about being a kidney doner.

NHS England’s Renal Service Transformation Programme (RSTP) highlighted the importance of prevention and of optimising screening, detection, and treatment. Regional NHS England Renal Networks will work in partnership with integrated care systems to deliver the RSTP’s aims, to help develop effective strategies for their local populations.

NHS England recognises the importance of kidney disease, not only in preventing its progression, but also in reducing cardiovascular events. A customer relationship management steering group has been established which aims to focus on the prevention of these common conditions that often co-exist.

NHS England has expanded the scope of work under the Prevention and Long-Term Condition Programme Board to include consideration of opportunities for improving the prevention of kidney disease.

The NHS Health Check programme is a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, which aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and some cases of dementia. The programme assesses for high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which are risk factors for the development of both chronic kidney disease and CVD. Where an individual’s NHS Health Check indicates high blood pressure or high blood sugar, it is for the general practitioner to consider the results, and then, if required, to undertake further clinical investigation and treatment, where appropriate.

Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease. People at risk of developing type 2 diabetes can also be referred by their general practitioner into the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. The programme is highly effective, cutting the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37% for people completing the programme, compared to those who do not attend.