CKD Summit Scotland: Shaping the Future of Kidney Health
On 17 September 2025, PKD Charity was proud to take part in Scotland’s first-ever Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Summit in Edinburgh, hosted by Kidney Research UK. Our Support Services Manager, Susan Muirhead, joined politicians, patients, and clinicians to discuss what kidney health could – and should – look like by 2035.
The summit brought together Health Secretary Neil Gray MSP, the Public Health Minister, and health representatives from across political parties. But the most powerful voices came from people living with kidney disease, who spoke openly about the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, greater awareness, and stronger government action.
Patient voices at the heart of the summit
Angela Riley, now on dialysis three times a week, spoke movingly about her experience of late diagnosis and the lack of public understanding of CKD.
“Every day someone goes undiagnosed, their kidneys deteriorate,” she said. “What can be done and when to change the outcome?”
Angela’s story reflects the reality faced by thousands across Scotland and underlines why the Kidney Health action plan matters. Launched last year, the plan sets out strategies to:
- Detect CKD earlier in primary care
- Improve the management of those living with CKD
- Join up data and IT to improve services
This plan could help more than 1 in 10 people who are estimated to have CKD.
Key issues under the spotlight
The summit tackled some of the biggest challenges in kidney care, including:
- Spotting CKD sooner in primary care
- Addressing health inequalities that worsen kidney outcomes
- Closing gaps in CKD data across Scotland
- Making kidney health a government priority
Dr Shona Methven described the event as “a hard-hitting evening,” noting how the Scottish Renal Register’s 2025 annual report revealed a 56% increase in patients over the past 20 years, with 5,750 people now receiving kidney replacement therapy.
A warning from experts
Professor Jeremy Hughes, University of Edinburgh, reminded the audience that CKD was overlooked two decades ago a mistake that has cost lives. Without urgent action, he warned, the condition could cost Scotland over £1 billion a year by 2033.
“Government is the enabler of change. The question should not be what or why — but how.”
A clear call to action
The message from the summit was resounding Scotland must act now to prevent a wave of kidney disease in the years ahead. That means raising public awareness, improving screening, closing data gaps, and ensuring kidney health becomes a national health priority.
The determination of patients, clinicians, and advocates in the room left no doubt with the right commitment, Scotland can change the future of kidney health by 2035.
If you would like to speak to us about what support we can offer you or a loved one, please visit PKD Support or contact us today and speak to a member of our team.
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