UK Renal Registry 13th Annual Report (December 2010): Chapter 16: memories of changes in renal care over three decades--the human perspective on registry statistics.

INTRODUCTION

This is a personal memory of 35 years of renal replacement therapy charting the changes in care through that time.

METHOD

The personal reminiscences were augmented by the recollections of other patients and staff from the time.

RESULTS

Major changes are charted in: the selection of patients especially children, the care of children, approaches to diet, methods of dialysis, transplant techniques and immunosuppression. Attitudes towards care and lifestyle possibilities have become more liberal for patients.

CONCLUSION

Much has changed, mainly for the better and some old ideas have come back into fashion. Long-term patients have been through very difficult experiences and might have strongly formed opinions about their treatment as a result: perhaps staff should listen to these patients and learn from their wealth of experience.