Chronic Kidney Disease: An Action Plan for Scotland.
To design a report communicating Kidney Research UK’s recommended actions for change for kidney disease in Scotland to Scottish policy-makers including MSPs and NHS Scotland. The design needed to sit alongside previous corporate reports and would be printed and published as an accessible PDF.
Project notes
I created a simple typographic design to sit alongside Kidney Research’s previous corporate reports, which have a more paired-back style than their annual report.
The report contains a flow chart – Angela’s journey – which required careful planning to ensure it would work just as well visually as when reflowed or read by a screen reader. I remediated the flow chart, along with the tables, references and endnotes to pass programmatic checks for compliance with PDF/UA and WCAG.
The cover design combines the Saltire and kidneys and I was able to successfully repurpose it to create a pair of banner stands for the launch.
What it sounds like
Listen to Angela’s journey (read by NVDA)
Show transcript
Transcript
Heading Level 2 page 1
Appendix A Patient pathway, Angela's Journey
Angela was diagnosed with CKD in 2020. She knew she was unwell but had little idea that her type 2 diabetes might affect her kidney function, which was eventually tested after heart problems were ruled out. She says she was completely unprepared, or supported, for her diagnosis of CKD at Stage 3, her kidney function having halved.
Heading Level 3
Angela's Pathway
Graphic flow chart showing Angela's journey.
Angela's type 2 diabetes led to Stage 1 and 2 CKD, continuing graphic through feeling unwell, reducing kidney function, diagnosis of CKD Stage 3, dialysis and a possible graphic future transplant.
Heading Level 4
What was missing for Angela.
List with five items
Bullet. Recognition of CKD
Bullet. Information about CKD
Bullet. Peer support
Bullet. Mental health support
Bullet. Self-management tools
Out of list.
Heading Level 4
NHS cost estimate of Angela's Path
List with two items
Bullet. Haemodialysis, in hospital 32,678 pounds per year link link note 37.
Bullet. Peritoneal dialysis, automated 20,295 pounds per year link link note 38.
Out of list.
Heading level 4
Human cost of this path.
List with 3 items
Bullet. The cost of unemployment.
Bullet. The burden of dialysis.
Bullet. The toll on the patient and their family
Out of list.
Heading level 4
NHS cost of kidney transplant.
List with two items
Bullet. Operation 26,986 pounds, link link note 39.
Bullet. Post-operative care, 5,000 pounds per year link link note 40
Out of list.
Heading level 3
Alternative pathway
Graphic flow chart showing the different path Angela could have taken. As before, Angela's type 2 diabetes Graphic led to Stage 1 and 2 CKD. But at this point, an alternative path is possible, avoiding feeling graphic unwell, reducing kidney function, diagnosis of CKD Stage 3, dialysis and a possible future graphic transplant.
If Scotland focuses on better early detection, diagnosis, and prevention, we could take patients down a different primary care-led path.
Angela would
List with four items
Bullet. Receive clear advice and information.
Bullet. Have her kidney function screened because of her type 2 diabetes.
Bullet. Use a smartphone app to help her manage her own condition.
Bullet. Be prescribed the best medicine
Out of list.
Angela's kidney function is maintained to prevent progression from early stages with the help of her local primary care team.
Heading Level 4
Annual NHS cost of this path.
List with four items
Bullet. Four albumin and creatine tests, 36 pounds and 40 pence link link note 41.
Bullet. ACEI or ARB, 170 pounds and 87 pence link link note 42.
Bullet. 1 GP and 6 nurse consultations, 115 pounds and 36 pence link link note 43.
Bullet. Total 322 pounds and 63 pence per year
Out of list.
Heading Level 3
Realistic medicine and value-based health and care.
Scotland is committed to person-centered care that reduces environmental harm and waste. Haemodialysis has an environmental cost. 18,720 litres of water are required per patient annually for thrice weekly haemodialysis link link note 44. While haemodialysis is estimated to result in 3.8 ton CO2 equivalent emissions per patient annually, link link note 45.
Graphic A smiling lady in a yellow top is standing in a modern building. She is holding up a copy of a graphic kidney research UK report titled changing the future for chronic kidney disease in Scotland.
Having cut short a career in social care, Angela now works to raise awareness of CKD, campaigning for change and volunteering as a community ambassador for kidney research UK.
Read her full story at link www.kidneyresearchuk.org/angela
Client feedback
Thank you so much for making this super easy to work on with you, for all your fantastic knowledge and support! I learn something new every time. And for being perfect with the deadline.
Yvette Bell, Marketing Manager
Kidney Research UK