Renal National Clinical Network

A national renal clinical network is required to eliminate inequitable outcomes, reduce variation and ensure optimisation in the delivery of renal services for all patients across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The key challenges that renal services currently face are:

• increasing demand for renal replacement services
• the lack of capacity to meet this demand
• inequitable outcomes for Māori and Pacific people
• significant variation in patient outcomes.

The objectives of the network are:

• high-quality renal care across the whole patient journey
• patients are able to access the care of their choice at the time and place of their choosing
• co-leadership with patients and whānau
• to achieve equitable outcomes for whānau Māori and Pacific peoples
• develop preventative strategies for kidney disease, including through engagement with other national networks, community stakeholders, and government, to consider those at risk across the long-term conditions continuum.

To achieve these objectives, the network will:

• utilise data to inform best practice, including qualitative data from patients and whānau
• develop evidence-based and innovative models of care for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) that can be applied nationally
• develop strategies to address the higher incidence of renal disease and poorer renal outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples
• create an environment that promotes local, regional, and national leadership across renal services
• develop a high-level plan of the infrastructure and workforce investment required to implement the national models of care
• identify and collaborate with national, regional and local stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the network
• develop performance metrics to monitor the effect of the network recommendations on patient outcomes and care delivery.

The network will convene expert working groups to address its goals. These groups may be for a time-limited period. The initial expert working groups will be:

• RRT model of care
• CKD model of care
• Data, Quality and Performance
• Digital Infrastructure.

Central to and underpinning the work programmes of all groups will be a consumer and whānau voice roopuu to ensure a pro-equity, pro-Te Tiriti approach. The roopuu will also include Pacific insights and expertise alongside other disadvantaged populations, importantly tangata whaikaha (disabled people) and rural populations.

The network will have two co-leads one each appointed by Te Aka Whai Ora and Te Whatu Ora.

The network will have representation from stakeholders across the sector and community to ensure a system-wide view.

Expectation of members

• Members will uphold the values of Te Mauri o Rongo | The NZ Health Charter.
• Members will act as champions of the Network and the Network programme.
• Members will promote a clear and positive understanding of the aims, objectives and deliverables of the programme.
• Be committed to and understand equity and variation and how it impacts people experiencing the effects of renal disease and uphold the mana of Māori whānau.
• Be able to evaluate different issues and perspectives and work in a way that facilitates collaboration among the different stakeholders.
• Membership will be reviewed every 2 years.
• Membership may be reviewed out of cycle to meet programme requirements.

Meeting frequency — Meetings will be convened at least 6 weekly via videoconference or as determined by the co-chairs.

Additional full day in-person meetings — will occur at least twice per year.

The Renal Network is accountable to the National Clinical Networks Governance and Oversight Group.

• Develop a national plan focused on equity.
• Delivery of and monitoring of Network initiatives and activities.
• Providing feedback on progress to sector stakeholders.
• Advocating for and engaging in Network initiatives.
• Responding to requests for advice.
• Ensuring risks are tracked and managed.
• Advise on escalated issues.
• Ensuring co-ordination with other Networks.

The following confidentiality protocols will apply.

• Any documents provided to the Network membership and Oversight Group are deemed confidential. Documents must be clearly marked as ‘confidential’ and will remain confidential until all members agree those documents previously marked ‘confidential’ can now be shared
• Confidentiality survives the end of the programme. This means information or documents deemed confidential and not released publicly, remain confidential indefinitely
• Confidential documents must not be copied or shared unless agreed by the entire Oversight Group

Conflicts of Interest — All actual, perceived or potential conflicts of interest must be declared by the members. A Register will be held by the programme as part of Te Whatu Ora’s process for managing conflicts of interest. Members will complete a Conflict of Interest Declaration when joining the Network and annually thereafter.