New Kidney Beam service commissioned by the NHS in North Central London
People diagnosed with kidney disease - and closely-related conditions such as heart failure and diabetes - are set to benefit from an innovative new NHS-commissioned Kidney Beam service in London, aimed at increasing their levels of physical activity, improve diet and learn more about their condition.
Patients who live in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington will be given free access to Kidney Beam so they can benefit from our physiotherapist-led exercise sessions, education classes, dietary advice and health coaching tailored specifically for people living with cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic (CKM) conditions.
Professor Sharlene Greenwood, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Kidney Beam, said: “We know that increasing the amount of exercise for someone who has a combination of kidney, heart and metabolic disease can have a profound impact on improving their health. Evidence shows that this lowers mortality rates, lessens demand on NHS services and lowers per-patient care costs, something that is much-needed as prevalence of these diseases is rising fast.”
The move makes North Central London – which covers the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington - one of the first NHS areas to launch a digital prevention and rehabilitation programme addressing interlinked CKM health concerns, in line with the NHS England drive to focus on preventative, digital and community-based health.
As part of the programme, patients with early-stage CKM disease will be able to self-register for the online classes, with the aim of helping to prevent their disease progressing to the later stages.
In addition, clinicians from the Royal Free Hospital will be able to refer patients with more advanced disease or complex needs for extra support from specially-trained Kidney Beam health coaches, who will assist participants in completing a virtual 12-week programme of targeted physical activity and education tailored to their clinical status.
Mark Eaton, Director of Strategic & Delegated Commissioning at NHS West and North London Integrated Care Board, said: “We are pleased to be able to provide targeted, evidence-based physical therapy and lifestyle support for people in the area with cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions. The programme will help patients get moving, improve their diet and learn more about how to manage their condition, all from the comfort of their own homes using an easily-accessible digital solution.”
“Our ultimate aim is to reduce hospital admissions, length of stay, outpatient appointments, and medication use, while improving patient outcomes - all of which will help tackle rising care costs in our region.”