Welcome to Your Website

Sharing the Lived Experience

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a diagnosis for which there is no cure. People living with CKD require accurate information and good support to live well with chronic illness. This can be obtained from the many staff involved in your care at your medical appointments. However, the challenge for renal programs is to have information and support that is directed from your perspective. Improving the experience of patients with kidney disease is one of LHSC’s strategic initiatives currently under development. The Renal Program understands the need for information that focuses on the patient experience. This is why we wanted to partner with you, our patients, to create a renal patient website.

To gain a good understanding of our renal patients’ interests and needs we held a focus group of patients from all parts of the renal program. We learned that our patients wanted to hear about the stories and experiences of other people with kidney disease in our program, and to have more information made available to them. We extend a thanks to all patients who were a part of this process. It is our hope that this website will enhance your own experience as a kidney patient. Please feel free to view our Contact Us page, and let us know if you found everything you needed today.

A Welcome from the Renal Program Leadership

On behalf of all of our renal program staff, physicians and volunteers we welcome you to the London Health Science Centre Renal Patient Website. Working with hospitals and agencies across this region, we are able provide comprehensive care for patients facing kidney disease in 10 communities in South West Ontario. The program is built on a 65+ year history of innovation and care and is one of the top programs across Canada.

Our goal is to provide you and your family with the best treatment for your kidney disease – whether that means the specialized medical treatment that you receive or the caring word and helping hand that is a support along the way. While kidney care is our area of knowledge and expertise, you know yourself best, so we will work with you and your family to provide the care that best meets your individual needs.

This Renal Patient Website has been developed as a resource for you, based on the input of patients just like you who have made or who are making the journey through treatment. You will receive a great deal of information specific to your situation as you progress through treatment. Access the website often, always ask questions at your healthcare visits, and keep notes. This will help you along the way.

We value your feedback. If at any time you have concerns about your care or about our customer service, we want to hear about it. Our leadership team is available to discuss any issues with you – ask our staff to identify one of our leaders for you. Also, please feel free to reach out to us and offer your ideas and concerns. We are here to help.

About the Renal Program at LHSC

At London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Regional Renal Program, you can expect to receive comprehensive care. This care extends to all people living in Southwestern Ontario with kidney disease. Our program strives to embody the mission statement of the Ontario Renal Network; Working together to improve the life of every person with kidney disease.

Care includes working together with you, to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, thereby delaying the need for dialysis. Before you reach then end stage of renal disease you will be cared for by your Nephrologist in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Clinic (also referred to as a pre-dialysis clinic), which is located at the Kidney Care Centre at Westmount Shopping Centre. Here you will have access to a team of supportive care staff. 

Welcome video from Dr. Blake, Nephrologist

When kidney replacement therapy becomes necessary we provide support to you around treatment choice, including:

• Care at home which includes Peritoneal Dialysis or Home Hemodialysis.
• Care in-centre which includes hemodialysis in a London hospital.
• Care closer to home which includes our Satellite Units.
• Transplantation
• Conservative Management (choosing not to start dialysis) & Palliative Care (choosing to stop dialysis)

Approximately 950 chronic kidney disease (pre-dialysis) patients and 760 end stage kidney disease (on dialysis) patients are currently cared for by many teams in this program.

Care at Home

The home dialysis therapies that are offered include; Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and Home Hemodialysis. Currently, 175 patients perform independent dialysis in their home. Experienced staff work in the home dialysis units and are dedicated to offering support to those interested in home dialysis. Staff meet with patients and their families to make sure home dialysis is right for them. Also, home dialysis staff provide education and training and provide an ongoing partnership to support the patient and family to monitor and maintain home dialysis. Most home patients come to clinic at the Kidney Care Centre every few months to be seen by their home dialysis unit.

Care In-Centre

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients can receive hemodialysis in our London hospital dialysis units. The London hospital locations are as follows:

• 35 station unit at Victoria Hospital (Adam Linton Unit)
• 25 station unit at University Hospital

Care Closer to Home

LHSC partners with 8 satellite hospitals in the region to provide hemodialysis for approximately 250 patients closer to home. LHSC Nephrologists and Nurse Practitioners provide support for medical concerns. In London, the Hemodialysis Unit in the Kidney Care Centre (KCC) at Westmount Shopping Centre effectively operates as a London satellite.

Transplantation

A successful kidney transplant results in improved health and freedom from dialysis, but transplantation is a treatment option and not a cure for kidney failure. Of the available treatment options, transplantation offers the best opportunity to be rehabilitated and to lead a normal lifestyle. LHSC provides a regional program in kidney transplantation.

Conservative Care

Conservative care means choosing not to start or to stop dialysis. You may have other health issues that influence your quality of life. Reflecting on how these issues might further impact your life on dialysis is important.

Regardless of the option you choose, your Interprofessional team are here to support you and your family with your decision. Read more about Conservative Care and feel comfortable with talking to your team. 

As a dialysis patient’s condition may change, they may require a move to a different site or a change in treatment. Our Renal team is committed to providing you with seamless care, to meet your needs.

Click here for the Renal Patient and Family Advisory Council webpage