General Election 2024
At election time, political parties put their manifestos to the public for consideration and when the votes are counted, negotiations begin to develop a Programme for Government that will underpin policy for the term of the next Dail. With the number of people on dialysis having increased by almost 150% in the last 20 years and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) currently set to be the fifth leading cause of mortality by 2040, it is important the due consideration is given to taking CKD out of the shadows. 6% of the national population has diabetes whereas 10% has Chronic Kidney Disease.
Download this leaflet and use it give focus to any discussions you have with election candidates you meet between now and November 29th. Print it off and give them a copy to take away.
Read our comprehensive election manifesto that outlines crucial measures aimed at addressing the needs of the nearly 500,000 individuals in Ireland living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Fill in this short survey to record your feedback on the candidates you spoke with and their existing knowledge of Chronic Kidney Disease and the work of the Irish Kidney Association. This will help inform our future work in advocacy.
Kidney Disease, Act Now for a Better Future
End the post code lottery and ensure equity of access to general clinical and support services for Chronic Kidney Disease patients nationwide.
SERVICES THAT ARE NOT UNIVERSALLY AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS IN THEIR LOCAL AREA
ACCESS
to all types of
ACCESS
to all types of
Dialysis treatments
Counselling
Physiotherapy
Social Worker
Case Managers
Increase the supports for people living with Chronic Kidney Disease to manage the additional costs that come with the illness and its treatment.
SUPPORTS THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE OR IMPROVED NOW
Fuel Allowance
for people on dialysis – anaemia, a common side effect, leaves patients feeling cold and vulnerable.
Mileage allowance
to encourage dialysis patients to manage their own transport, to and from treatment, reducing HSE taxi costs and risk infection.
Reimbursement for
Home Dialysis costs
– the current programme of tax relief is only of benefit to households with a taxpayer. The average age of people starting dialysis is >60 years old.
Re-introduction of the
Diet Supplement payment
– A special renal diet is mandatory when on dialysis.
Extend
FREE medication to all patients on dialysis and all transplant recipients – medication is life-long and significant.
Chronic Kidney Disease is not covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme nor is there a universal entitlement to medical cards for all people with End Stage Kidney Disease.
Increase the resources necessary to allow for people on dialysis to access treatment in locations in Ireland away from their normal treating centre to facilitate travel for work and for pleasure.
In the last 20 years Ireland has seen an increase of almost
150%
in the number of people
requiring dialysis annually
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
In Centre Dialysis
2003
2013
2023
826
1556
2191
TREATMENT
Home based Dialysis
2003
2013
2023
187
248
294
TOTAL DIALYSIS
2003
2013
2023
1013
1804
2485
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
2003
2013
2023
1391
2156
2705
TOTAL END STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
2003
2013
2023
2404
3960
5190
In Centre Dialysis
Home based Dialysis
TOTAL DIALYSIS
Kidney Transplant recipients
TOTAL END STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
2003
2013
2023
826
1556
2191
187
248
294
1013
1804
2485
1391
2156
2705
2404
3960
5190
The normal treatment programme for people on haemodialysis is three sessions per week, every week with each session lasting 3-4 hours.
- All haemodialysis centres are already operating at, or close to, capacity.
- Growth in service provision is struggling to keep up with demand for regular dialysis.
- Planning for future dialysis capacity needs to allow for people on dialysis in Ireland to be able to travel around Ireland for work/pleasure and also allow for visitors from outside of Ireland who are on dialysis to come and visit family.
To include Chronic Kidney Disease in the Chronic Disease Management Programme to identify and slow its progression.
Chronic Kidney Disease is expected to be the fifth leading cause of mortality by 2040 if it is not addressed now.
According to a TILDA
study done in 2023,
over the age of 50 have Chronic Kidney Disease.
of people with
Chronic Kidney Disease
do not know that they have it.
In an opportunistic case findings report on people currently included in the
Chronic Disease Management Programme
26,000 were found to
have Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease is linked to an increased risk
of heart disease and
premature death.
It currently costs the State approximately
to treat people by dialysis or kidney transplantation.
An increased choice of medications is now available to treat people with Chronic Kidney Disease and slow its progression thus avoiding increased complications and costs.