Dr Samira Bell is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Dundee University and Consultant Nephrologist at Ninewells Hospital. She holds a NHS Research Scotland Fellowship funded by the Chief Scientists Office studying Acute Kidney Injury and diabetes.

NHS Tayside has become the first health board in Scotland to introduce an electronic early-warning system to identify damage to the kidneys at a much earlier stage, potentially improving survival rates and shortening hospital stays. The system works by flagging up warning signs to clinicians after blood tests. Messages are sent to computer systems holding patient results, clearly outlining to doctors the severity of the injury and information on the best course of action.

Samira outlined the hardship of a life on dialysis following severe kidney damage. Patients spend four hours three times a week on a dialysis machine with all the attendant travel, support and time needed for such arrangements. There are also restrictive dietary requirements and limitations to liquid intake at one and a half litres daily. And the side effects can be equally restrictive.

So it is no wonder, she added, that a kidney transplant is looked upon with such expectations to health especially with such high survival rates in young patients.  All transplants are carried out in Edinburgh with support and recovery transferred to Ninewells in Dundee.

She also explained that the new strategies involve several support systems which have been set up to encourage live donors to come forward. Such a move with early clinical diagnosis removes the need for dialysis at all; a much more acceptable and comfortable approach to the whole issue.

Such an interesting talk on pioneering medicine gave the members much food for thought and Samira was thanked for her presentation by her host for the evening, Frank Muirden, both pictured with Club Senior Vice-President Ian E Brown.