A Bradford patient who has spent more than a decade living with kidney disease while waiting for a second, life-saving transplant is helping patients and carers across the district access vital support through a growing community network.
Izzy Mohammed, 50, recently launched BrAdKIN (Bradford and Airedale Kidney Information Network) to ensure people affected by kidney disease “do not face their journey alone”. The inaugural event saw patients, carers and clinicians come together at St Luke’s Hospital, part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where Izzy receives vital renal dialysis three times a week.
Created in May 2026, BrAdKIN is a website resource for anyone receiving kidney care in Bradford and Airedale. The vital network provides information, practical advice, peer support and opportunities for patients and carers to contribute to the future development of local NHS kidney services.
The initiative is part of the national Kidney Information Network (KIN), which was established by the late Professor Paula Ormandy, co-director of KIN and a former NHS renal nurse from the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford.
Professor Ormandy believed patients and carers should have a stronger voice in shaping services and created KIN to bring people together, share experiences and improve care for those living with kidney disease.
Izzy, a former paramedic, first became involved after being invited to attend a patient workshop at Salford University, where people with kidney conditions shared their experiences and views on a range of topics including service design, care and support.
It was there that he was introduced to Professor Ormandy’s work and recognised the difference a similar network could make for people in Bradford and Airedale.
“I thought, why was this not out there 10 years ago?” said Izzy. “For families like mine it would have been invaluable as the support the group gives each other is so beneficial.
“It’s a place where patients and carers can come together and it gives them a platform to discuss kidney issues and access information about diet, mental health, wellbeing, self-care and peer support. It helps patients, carers and families find a way forward together.”
The network recognises the important role carers play in supporting loved ones with kidney disease.
“The website has had massive input from patients and, latterly, carers, who are just as impacted as patients themselves and are often forgotten about,” Izzy added. “It gives them a safe space where we can all come together to learn, share experiences and get information.”
BrAdKIN’s official launch was attended by Bradford South MP, Judith Cummins and the Trust’s Clinical Lead for Renal Services, Dr Mansoor Ali.
BrAdKIN’s official launch was attended by Bradford South MP, Judith Cummins.
Izzy, a former paramedic who was forced to take ill-health retirement because of kidney disease, understands first-hand the challenges faced by patients.
He was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2012 and received a living donor kidney transplant from his brother in 2013. Sadly, the transplant failed in 2021 and he has been receiving dialysis treatment ever since. He has now spent four years on the national transplant waiting list.
Despite his own health challenges, Izzy is determined to support others.
“Being involved in BrAdKIN has given me a new lease of life,” he said. “It’s important that there is a patient voice in service redesign and in highlighting what’s working well and what could be improved, so clinicians, nurses, patients and carers can work together to make our renal services in Bradford the very best they can be.”
“It can be a very lonely place living with kidney disease and undergoing dialysis,” he said. “People sometimes just want to talk to somebody who understands what it’s like to be on dialysis, live with kidney disease or be waiting for a transplant.”
BrAdKIN is already helping to influence local kidney services, with information about the network now included in welcome packs provided to dialysis patients across Bradford Teaching Hospitals.
The network continues to grow and will launch a new support group at Bradford Teaching Hospitals’ satellite renal dialysis unit in Skipton this September.
Clinical Lead for Renal Services at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Mansoor Ali, said: “BrAdKIN is a wonderful initiative that is helping patients and carers feel supported, informed and connected.
“Kidney disease can be a long and difficult journey but peer support can make a real difference.
“The network gives people a stronger voice, creates opportunities to share experiences and helps us work in partnership with patients and carers to shape and improve local renal services. We are incredibly grateful to Izzy for his dedication and leadership in bringing this community together.”
Patients, carers and family members who would like to get involved with BrAdKIN can find out more and join the community at BrAdKIN Facebook Group or log on to https://www.kidneyinfonet.org/kin/bradkin/