The first cohort of specialists trained on a groundbreaking course in Sunderland are now set to put their skills into practice following a graduation ceremony. The Interventional Nephrology PGCert course was developed jointly by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) and Newcastle University and delivered within the Renal Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
An estimated 7.2 million people in the UK have chronic kidney disease (CKD), while 20 people a day develop kidney failure. Almost 32,000 people in the country are on dialysis, according to Kidney Care UK. The course aims to address these challenges by training specialists in advanced kidney care procedures.
The first five graduates, all higher specialty trainees in kidney medicine, completed the two-year programme, which develops skills in interventional nephrology. This area covers procedures linked to dialysis and kidney investigations, including ultrasound, kidney biopsies, and the use of catheters for dialysis and, in some cases, chemotherapy. Students also learn to perform radiological assessments of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), an essential form of vascular access for dialysis patients.
The graduates celebrated their achievement at a ceremony hosted by Newcastle University, attended by consultants who supported their training. Since the course’s launch, two further intakes of ten students each have been recruited, including participants who have relocated to the UK from Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Students have already begun publishing their course projects and sharing their learning with peers. Course leaders have contributed to two chapters in the international textbook Essentials of Interventional Nephrology. The programme is gaining a reputation beyond the UK, with discussions underway with healthcare organisations in Malaysia, India, and Tanzania about potential collaborations, led by Consultant Nephrologist Dr Jennifer Whitehead.
Dr Shalabh Srivastava, Consultant Interventional Nephrologist at STSFT and the course’s founder, said: “It is a great sense of achievement to see this cohort through as there is no equivalent programme anywhere in the world. Our aim is to ensure that our programme continues to push the boundaries of interventional nephrology research and training in the UK. Ultimately, the skills gained from this programme will improve kidney patient care across the country. We also hope to develop national guidance on managing patients who require kidney procedures, so they can live better and longer.”
Professor Paul Paes, Head of School of Medicine at Newcastle University, added: “This is a truly innovative course that will make a difference to the care of patients with kidney disease. Newcastle University and STSFT have a long-standing partnership in training the region’s doctors, and having our first graduates is an exciting milestone that will impact care locally, nationally and internationally.”
The first graduates include Dr David Rudman from STSFT’s Renal Team, Dr Mohammed Boshara from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Philippa Brown from Bradford Royal Infirmary, Dr Ismet Boral from Nottingham University NHS Trust, and Dr Yimeng Zhang from the West Midland Deanery.
The course has been supported by a team of faculty members at STSFT, including Dr James Andrews (ultrasound), Dr Saeed Ahmed (peritoneal dialysis and kidney biopsy), Dr Sarah McCloskey (simulation), and Dr Rauri Clark (vascular access). The programme also benefited from leadership support from the Trust, Newcastle University, and Renal Business Managers Chris Black, Liam McManus, and Jen McArdle over the five years it took to develop.
