World Kidney Day on 14 March

That the Parliament recognises that 14 March 2024 is World Kidney Day; understands that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition for which there is no cure, and that, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can progress to advanced illness requiring kidney replacement therapy, including dialysis or transplantation; understands that CKD reportedly affects more than one in 10 people in Scotland, of whom 45% are experiencing the more severe, later stages of the condition; believes that many people living with CKD face financial pressures associated with being a kidney patient, including multiple trips to hospital each week, the inability to work regular hours, requiring special diets and an increased cost of utility bills, leading some patients, it understands, to make treatment decisions based on their financial situation; recognises the impact that living with CKD can have upon an individual’s mental health and wellbeing; understands that the Scottish Government has produced its first ever set of guidelines to help ensure that all kidney patients who have dialysis at home receive support for their energy bills; calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that its home dialysis energy reimbursement guidelines are implemented fairly and consistently across Scotland, and to develop similar guidelines so that other vital services and support for kidney patients, including transport, social care, and mental health support, are uniformly available, with no postcode lottery; believes that there are significant opportunities to address what it sees as the inequalities in diagnosis and outcomes for people with CKD in Scotland, and supports work to develop a Once for Scotland approach to ensuring timely and fair access to the diagnosis, treatment and care that CKD patients need to live well; commends what it sees as the important and essential work of patient advocacy charities, such as Kidney Care UK, which provides emotional and financial support to patients in need; further commends the work of research charities, such a Kidney Research UK, whose vital work in funding and promoting research and innovation into the prevention and treatment of kidney disease will, it hopes, one day, mean that everyone can live a life free from kidney disease, and considers that both of these charities tirelessly campaign for greater support for kidney patients from the Scottish Government and healthcare providers and continue to raise awareness and champion organ and tissue donation.