Peritoneal dialysis (PD)
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a “self-caring” dialysis treatment that you learn to carry out yourself at home.
Peritoneal dialysis fluid is drained into and out of the abdomen in cycles via a comfortable plastic tube on the front of the tummy. The insertion of the tube, known as a PD catheter is a simple procedure that can be done in a day.
Main contact
Telephone: 02033136647
Email: imperial.pdunit@nhs.net
There are two types of PD:
- Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), also known as the manual bag exchange, is often used when people start on PD when only a low dose is needed (see below) and is advised for people who prefer to dialyse during the day.
- Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is an overnight treatment using a machine by your bed to cycle the dialysate fluid in and out of your body during the night while you sleep.
Individualised prescriptions
How frequently you perform PD will be different for each individual. Your doctor and nursing team will work alongside you to ensure that you are on the correct prescription. This depends on your remaining kidney function and how you feel. The aim is to determine the prescription that fits in best with your usual activities.
People on CAPD usually start on two-three exchanges, five-six days a week, but as kidney function drops with time, more dialysis is required. Once up to four exchanges, many people prefer to use the cycler machine at night (APD). You can also start on APD if this fits in best with your lifestyle. Again, you may start on five-six nights a week and gradually increase time on the machine and frequency as your kidney function goes down with time.
If you have specific personal circumstances, such as storage issues and needing assistance in carrying out PD, please discuss this with the home therapies team.
How will I be trained to perform peritoneal dialysis at home?
Most of our patients are trained off-site at the Baxter Education centre; please see the Baxter Education centre brochure and the Baxter Education centre leaflet for more information.
However, as required, some patients may be trained on-site at Hammersmith hospital by the PD nursing team.
Clinics and follow up care
Consultant led clinics
LocationRenal Home Therapies Unit,
Hammersmith Hospital,
Ground Floor, B block,
Du Cane Road,
W12 0HS
Dr Corbett runs his clinic every Tuesday morning
Prof Edwina Brown runs her clinic every Friday morning
Offering a mixture of face-to-face and virtual calls
Post-training support
- Nurse visits and supports first PD session at home
- For the first three weeks at home you will get weekly phone call follow-ups from a member of the PD team
- Week 4: first visit to see doctor in clinic
- From here, nurse home visits will take place annually and/or as required. However, you will be alternately be seen by your Doctor and nurse every two months either face-to-face or virtually.
- Regular blood tests and reviews
Meet the team
Consultants
Professor Edwina Brown – consultant nephrologist“My main interests are advanced kidney disease (I’m in charge of the advanced kidney disease clinic at Charing Cross Hospital), peritoneal dialysis (I’m also in charge of PD Unit), and outcomes of older people with kidney disease.
“I started working in peritoneal dialysis over 40 years ago when training at Yale University (USA). I have been involved with the unit here since maintenance PD started in the UK in the early 1980’s. My main research interests focus on the needs and outcomes of older people with kidney disease. Currently, I am leading on the Kidney Transplant in Older People study (KTOP). I have also just become the President-Elect of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (will be president 2022-4).”
Dr Richard Corbett – consultant nephrologist
“I carry out clinics in both dialysis and transplantation with a particular interest in peritoneal dialysis and renal home therapies. As an interventional nephrologist, I also place dialysis access, including peritoneal dialysis catheters under local anaesthetic, and perform renal biopsies. My research interests focus on improving outcomes for people with established renal failure, including the application of fluid mechanics to problems with dialysis access.”
Sally Punzalan – head nurse, renal home therapies/MSc adult nurse practitioner independent/supplementary nurse prescriber
“I have 23 years of nursing experience, 20 years of which are in Renal. Specializing in PD, I took an interest in PD access, performing PD catheter insertions, externalisations and removals. I have particular interests in providing education and training however, I focus mainly on organising a safe, structured pathway to provide a seamless experience for those who receive Renal home-based treatments.”
Jacqueline McGrory – senior sister, PD
Nora Hisole – senior sister, PD
Titus Chelapurath – senior charge nurse, PD independent/supplementary nurse prescriber
“I am the community peritoneal dialysis specialist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. I work closely with the renal home therapies team to provide nursing care for dialysis patients. I particularly focuses on performing nurse clinics in the community and attending to patients with any dialysis related queries in the community.”
Carol Bartholomew – senior sister, PD
“I have more than 35 years’ experience working in the renal field in all aspects of renal care. I am currently working in renal home therapies, providing specialist care, advice and support to patients on peritoneal dialysis. I am particularly passionate about providing the best care possible to all patients.”
Froilan Galima – charge nurse, PD
Specific interest in Renal Replacement Therapy Counselling and Training.
Valentina Zanovello – sister, PD
“I have worked in Haemodialysis from 2007 until 2018. My interest is in Renal Dialysis Nursing.”
Susan Newbury – administrative and clerical support, PD
“I have 25 years of experience in my current role. My main interest is in PD and Renal Home Therapies in general.”
Patient information
Barts Health CKD
Barts Health renal
Patient experience
CAPD
“I carry out exchanges three times a day and after a few weeks I got completely used to it. I now make sure it fits in nicely with my day. I started off being run by CAPD, now I have full control of the care myself and feel in charge”
Charles Carne, 76
“Once you get into the rhythm and settle into it, I think it works really well. You should not be scared of it and you should feel like you can contact the renal team at any time.”
Kenneth Mantel, 69
APD
“I can do this at night whilst I am sleeping then get on with normal things during the day.”
Amir Mir, 39
“You are in control at home, albeit sometimes with the help of renal technicians.”
Kenneth Mantel, 69
Storing the Equipment to perform dialysis
‘Monthly delivery, I have a cupboard where everything just about fits in. It works really well; I have never run out of fluid’.
Elaine Hartley 61 years old
Holidays and working
“I tried to not let it interfere with my life, I was travelling to Canada and to Europe and it just required a bit of organisation and self-esteem.”
Kenneth Mantel, 69
“I travel to Australia and new Zealand/Hong Kong at least once a year – [the] exchange programme with these countries is outstanding. By the time I arrived in the hotel, all of my supplies were waiting for me.”
Daniel Bovington, 41
“I have been working throughout and fit my exchanges around work.”
Amir Mir, 39
Training
“Training was excellent – really nice people. [afterwards I felt] ready to leave and go into the world.”
Charles Carne, 76
“I felt absolutely equipped to carry out the exchanges on my own.”
Elaine Hartley, 61
Follow-up care
“The follow-up care doesn’t invade my life – it isn’t too frequent and it’s nice to catch-up with the staff.’
Elaine Hartley, 61
“Somebody came to visit us and see how the set-up was, which was very helpful. We are in touch with everyone at Hammersmith and there is always someone there to help. Couldn’t ask for any more. I love not having to go to the hospital anymore, other than monthly check-ups.”
Renaud Spencer, 74
“At the beginning, nurses came to my home. You can ring the PD unit at any time with any questions and queries and they get back to you straight away.”
Amir, 39
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