As 2024 draws to a close and we reflect on the first year of the KitNewCare project, we’ve been reminiscing about our visits to our partner clinical sites. This short blog series offers a glimpse into those visits and the valuable experiences we gained.
Lucy (Clinical Delivery Lead), Hattie (Work Package 3 Project Manager) and Aycan (Work Package 5 Project Manager) were lucky enough to spend two days in Utrecht in June.
After meeting the UMC Hospital team at the KitNewCare project launch in Malmo and via screens, we were excited to spend time with them in their hometown, Utrecht!
On our first evening in Utrecht the team welcomed us at a local restaurant where we presented the Sustainable Kidney Care course, reflecting as a group on the impact of kidney care on the environment and how we can make healthcare more sustainable.
The team workshopped ideas for optimisations to pilot at the hospital, with some innovative ideas such as supporting patients to cycle to dialysis appointments. As a group we shared how overwhelming climate change can
feel but left feeling hopeful for the future and motivated to take action, or as one of the attendees said, “LET’S GO!”
On day two of the visit we had the opportunity to visit UMC hospital and were inspired by all the work the hospital are doing already to make their services more sustainable. We were especially impressed by the exercise bike available for patients to use while they receive their dialysis treatment! It was insightful to see the behind-the-scenes workings of the kidney unit. On the hospital tour we also saw healthy food vending machines and live music entertainment as well as outdoor spaces for staff and patients to enjoy.
In traditional Dutch style we continued the tour on bike, getting to know the landscape of the area and where patients and staff spend their time. We visited Dianet’s state of the art dialysis centre who kindly offered a tour of the premises. This unit has been designed with chairs and beds looking out to the outside world, or with pictures to connect them with nature.
We are all grateful to the team at Utrecht who kindly welcomed us and gave us an insight into the amazing work they are carrying out, and the plans for the future!
The next stop for the CSH KitNewCare team will be Modena, Italy
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