Measuring the effectiveness and the impact of a nurse-led renal day area within a secondary healthcare setting in NHS Scotland

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) population is continuously growing and has immense financial implications for the global healthcare system. Scottish Government Healthcare policies continually influence NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Regional Renal Services (NHSGGC RRS) to improve access to nephrology. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Regional Renal Services Day Area (NHSGGC RRSDA) was created to streamline and improve access to renal care. It had been has running for nearly three years but no studies have ever been performed to assess its impact on NHS Scotland. A retrospective evaluation study from January to September 2014 was undertaken to assess the activity and the impact on the renal population pre (2010) and post exposure (2013) to interventions of the NHSGGC RRSDA. This was the first study ever to comprehensively explore and evaluate the activity and impact of the nurse-led care. Results found autonomous nurse-led care successfully doubled the attendance and treatment rates while reducing waiting times by 64%, admission rates by 80% and met the 18 week appointment target by 100%. However, the NHSGGC RRSDA did not meet delivering local access and care to the elderly Scottish Government Healthcare targets.