How can we support family and friends of people with conservatively managed kidney failure?

The ACORN study is developing an intervention to support the psychological and social well-being of informal carers of people with conservatively managed end-stage kidney disease. The research group includes national and international collaborators with a wide range of experience in palliative care, psychosocial interventions, and intervention development, from Northern Ireland, England, and Canada. The research team has a long track record of research and clinical expertise in developing supportive and palliative nephrology care services.

The ACORN study is based at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast and will be conducted in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, and Barts Health NHS Trust, London. The chief investigator of the study is Dr Helen Noble who has a long track record of research and clinical expertise in the development of nephrology supportive and palliative care services. The research group includes national and international collaborators from Northern Ireland, England, and Canada, who have a wide range of experience in palliative care, psychosocial interventions and intervention development.