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Kidney disease is a public health emergency in the UK and cases are growing rapidly. According to a recent report published by charity Kidney Research UK, 7.61 million people in the UK are predicted to suffer with chronic kidney disease by 2033.
There are growing numbers at risk due to the prevalence of associated conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Delayed diagnosis of kidney disease can significantly impact patient outcomes and in these circumstances there may be a claim for medical negligence.
The kidneys are vital organs that control blood chemistry, blood pressure and the amount of fluid in the body. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition where kidney function deteriorates. There are usually no symptoms in the early stages but it may come to light through blood or urine tests undertaken other reasons. If there was a failure to act upon any such findings, this could lead to a legal claim.
As the disease progresses symptoms can include tiredness, swollen ankles, feet or hands, shortness of breath, feeling sick and blood in the urine.
CKD can be separated into stages of severity, ranging from one (mild) to five (severe). There is no cure but treatment can assist with symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. This is why early diagnosis is so important.
Risks of late diagnosis
Treatments include dialysis, which replicates some of the kidney’s functions, and in the later stages a kidney transplant may be required. Unfortunately, as explained by Sandra Currie, chief executive of Kidney Research UK, ‘a transplant does not last a lifetime and dialysis patients face hours of gruelling treatment every week, taking them away from loved ones and making it harder to work’.
CKD can be caused by various factors and may include kidney inflammation, recurrent kidney stones, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (an inherited condition where cysts develop in the kidneys). Long-term use of certain drugs, such as lithium and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can also be a factor.
According to recent research published in the journal Advances in Therapy, delaying diagnosis of stage three CKD (moderate) by one year increased the risk of CKD deteriorating by 40 percent and increased the risk of needing a transplant or long-term dialysis by 63 percent.
Medical negligence claims
Legal claims can be brought for negligent delays in diagnosis of kidney disease. An example could be where a GP failed to make an onward referral where there were potential symptoms or risk factors and CKD progressed as a result. Compensation in such claims can include loss of earnings, where a person would have been able to work for longer with earlier diagnosis, treatment costs and sums related to decreased life expectancy. Our team at Kingsley Napley are highly specialist in bringing these types of cases.
NHS could be overwhelmed
Kidney Research UK states that unless serious action is taken the NHS risks being overwhelmed. Its report proposes various healthcare interventions which include an emphasis on earlier diagnosis and better treatment options. The charity is calling upon the Government to include kidney disease in NHS long-term strategic plans since, despite the numbers of people affected, currently CKD does not feature. More information can be found on the Kidney Research UK website.
If you are concerned about the medical treatment that you or a member of your family has received, please contact our friendly and sensitive team for a no obligation discussion.
Further information
If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Wadden in our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury team.
About the author
Andrea Wadden is an Associate in the Medical Negligence Department. She qualified as a solicitor in 2023 and then joined Kingsley Napley. She has experience in both medical negligence and personal injury claims having worked at a national law firm in Birmingham for five years. She has undertaken work with clients who have sustained a variety of injuries including brain injuries, birth injuries and orthopaedic injuries.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
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