COVID-19 information
Kidney patients are an extremely clinically vulnerable group. Face-to-face outpatient visits and off-site blood monitoring have been reduced.
Outpatient reviews are taking place virtually, with more use of intermittent haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in critical care.
Clinical practice guidelines and clinical trial operations have been adapted. The amount of dialysis taking place at home may also increase due to COVID-19.
The Renal Unit at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) has an international reputation for research and innovation.
The unit provides comprehensive renal care, including a large acute kidney injury service for all UHB specialties and a number of hospitals within the region. The local area covered by the service has some of the highest rates for end-stage renal disease in the UK.
The unit supports a number of care services that cover all areas of renal medicine and surgery. The Renal Unit has an outstanding record of integrating the clinical service with clinical research.
Several team members hold senior research, training and innovation positions locally, nationally and internationally. These positions are in recognition of the quantity and quality of research at UHB.
The research-active Renal Unit has clinical research taking place in every aspect of renal medicine and surgery (including studies UHB are leading on).
We work in close partnership with a number of academic organisations, including:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Warwick
- University College London
Maintaining a vibrant and growing research environment within the unit is central to our involvement in key regional, national and international initiatives.
Our research activity attracts world-class clinicians and other clinical and non-clinical staff to Birmingham, which significantly contributes to staff retention and career development.
Common conditions and trial topics
Members of the Renal Unit have research interests in all areas of renal medicine and surgery.
The team's expertise is recognised both nationally and internationally. Many staff give invited lectures and write invited reviews and commentaries, as well as holding research offices with scientific organisations.
The excellence of the unit's work continues to be recognised through the award of competitive grant funding and peer-reviewed publications.
The Research department's focuses include:
- systemic vasculitis
- systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune/rheumatological disorders
- chronic kidney disease
- cardio-renal disease
- vascular access: surgical and interventional radiology
- transplantation
- paraprotein-associated kidney disease/amyloid
- chronic kidney disease – mineral and bone disorders
- haemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis
- genetic renal diseases
- rare renal diseases (RADAR)
- histopathology
- regenerative medicine
- clinical informatics
- patient-reported outcomes
- treatment-resistant hypertension
Contact information
Last reviewed: 27 October 2021