UK’s leading kidney conference comes to Wales for the first time

Wales Kidney Research Unit, funded by Health and Care Research Wales, has helped to bring the UK’s leading conference for kidney professionals to Wales for the first time.

UK Kidney Week 2023 took place from Monday 5 June to Wednesday 7 June at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.

This prestigious conference, organised by the UK Kidney Association (UKKA), brought together clinicians, academics, researchers and charities from across the UK to discuss the latest in renal research, as well as educational sessions, industry partnership programmes and networking opportunities.

Wales Kidney Research Unit (WKRU) was closely involved in the organisation of this year’s event. Members of the WKRU team presented several sessions during the conference, ranging from connecting early career researchers, patients and the public, to patient involvement in research, alongside Welsh kidney support charity, Popham Kidney Support.

WKRU director, Professor Donald Fraser, said,

UK Kidney Week is the largest UK event for kidney professionals. I am absolutely delighted to see the work of emerging research stars from Bangor, Swansea and Cardiff Universities, together with the programme of patient and public focussed work led by Popham Kidney Support and the support schemes provided by Health and Care Research Wales being so prominent at this year's meeting. This was a fantastic opportunity to hear from Wales' research stars of the future and hear how to get involved in their work."

Michael Bowdery, Head of Programmes, Health and Care Research Wales, said,

We are delighted that UK Kidney Week came to Wales. It is an excellent opportunity to showcase both the work of the Wales Kidney Research Unit, and the funding available to early stage career researchers through the Health and Care Research Wales Faculty, in this enormously important research field.”

For more details about the conference, visit www.ukkw.org.