We are here to support you as much as possible.  The kidney team has a lot of different staff with different specialist knowledge - do ask to see who you think might be helpful so you are as prepared as possible to manage life with a health condition.

Everyone finds their own way to live with their health condition - this may include talking to close friends, working out how to manage any health issues that affect school or work, and support from family and friends. 

The medical team are here to answer questions and support you. If you are seen by the paediatric renal team your community nurse specialists can be contacted on 0117 3428548.

When you transfer to adult services you may go to a hospital and adult renal service nearer to where you live. If you are in Bristol this may be at Southmead hospital. You can contact their adult team on 0117 4145213. 

If you are not local to Bristol this could be one of the following areas; Swindon, Exeter, Yeovil, Taunton, Barnstaple, Truro, Torbay, Gloucester, Bath or Plymouth. Please contact the hospitals directly to get hold of your adult renal team.

There are lots of organisations that can also help you with answering some questions you can find out more here and here.

Communicating with your renal team

If you are preparing to transfer to adult services or have just transferred the following might help you and your renal team make sure your kidney condition is managed as well as possible. Try to: 

• Learn about your conditions and treatments. 
• Ask and respond to questions during ward rounds and clinic appointments.
• Learn about and take responsibility for remembering what your medicines are called, what they are for, how much to take and when to take them.
• Learn how to get more supplies of your medicines or dressings. 
• Start arranging appointments with your consultant, GP, and other health care team members. 
• Keep important phone numbers and appointments in your phone, calendar or diary. 
• Find positive routines that help you become more confident and stay as well as possible.
• Try spending time without your parents for part of your clinic appointments, then when you feel ready try spending the whole appointment on your own. 
• Find out what the changes are in your condition that mean you should get urgent help. 
• Find out who to contact in an emergency. 

The renal teams are here to support you and will respect your privacy and confidentiality. Always try to talk openly about your condition, symptoms and concerns.