The National Kidney Care Audit, commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), and managed by the NHS Information Centre (NHS IC) officially ceased on 31 July 2011. The NHS IC will not be distributing any further communications on the audit or requesting information from units or patients following the audit closure.

All published audit reports and documentation surrounding data collection will be kept available for public access via the NKCA website at www.ic.nhs.uk/kidneycareaudit.

Please direct all enquiries to the audit inbox at kidneycare@ic.nhs.uk.

About the audit

The National Kidney Care Audit helps identify the best ways to improve renal services. It covers all adults receiving haemodialysis, as well as children and young people. The audit measures two distinct areas, both of which have a big impact on the quality of life for kidney patients:

• vascular access
• patient transport

Aim of the audits

Vascular Access

• to provide visibility of current performance
• to encourage the adoption of best practice, and so improve performance to meet national guidelines

The NHS Information Centre worked closely with the UK Renal Registry to collect local and national data.

The results of the 2011 Vascular Access Report are now available.

Patient Transport

• to make visible the variation of provision and performance of Patient Transport services
• to develop and communicate best practice guidelines to all those providing the service

This audit is measured through a patient survey, whose input will help improve services for all renal patients. To find out what was involved, please read our Frequently asked questions section.

The results of the 2010 Patient Transport Survey are now available.