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4.5 Patient/Carer Experience 4.5.5 Involvement in Local and National Initiatives From the early days of RRT, local Kidney Patients Associations (KPA's) became established in most renal units. While initially involved in local support and fundraising these groups, through the formation of the National Kidney Federation (NKF), became a significant support group country-wide. Significant contributions are made in many areas including patient education, travel and insurance advice. More recently the NKF and local KPA's have become involved in the politics of healthcare. There are some recent examples of involvement in contract negotiations between provider and purchaser. The most notable political achievement has been the formation of the Kidney Alliance. The NKF was the chief mover in the formation of the All Party Kidney Group in the House of Commons in July 1999. These initiatives have underlined the great potential for kidney patients to influence the development of services which is in keeping with the ascendancy of the patient voice in modern healthcare systems.  |