We are supporting the national Health Innovation Network’s LUCID programme, which aims to improve patient outcomes through early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), early intervention and optimisation, as well as maximise productivity and value for money.

The programme brings together hospital and GP-based care teams to provide integrated care. It has four main principles:

  • LUCID multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDTs) are established, ensuring a more joined-up approach between hospital and GP practice care teams
  • Steps are put in place to identify patients more at risk of kidney disease
  • Training is provided for clinicians, and patients are better informed and able to manage their care
  • Ongoing healthcare management is optimised

Programme aims:

  • Increased awareness and understanding of CKD amongst patients and professionals
  • Earlier identification and proactive population health management of CKD
  • Medicines optimisation and evidence-based disease management
  • Improved care integration across neighbourhoods, including primary and secondary care
  • Supporting delivery of care closer to home, while ensuring patients with complex or high-risk disease access specialist care earlier where needed
  • Improved patient outcomes and experience through more coordinated, proactive care pathways

The challenge

In the UK, over 3 million people live with the most severe stages of kidney disease and this is rising rapidly. People with kidney disease face increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Risk factors, such as diabetes, CVD and obesity that contribute to kidney disease, are also growing.

The total annual economic burden of kidney disease in the UK is £7 billion, with £6.4 billion being direct costs to the NHS – about 3.2% of NHS budgets. This translates as an economic burden of £553 million here in the West of England, with £511 million of this being direct costs to the NHS.

People living with CKD and those who support them experience a dramatic impact in their daily lives, with £372 million in productivity loss to the UK economy annually from missed work due to dialysis alone. This could rise to £2 billion by 2033.

The solution

LUCID integrates specialist management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) into primary care.

The programme supports implementation of primary care network (PCN) level interventions, including virtual CKD clinics to improve secondary prevention through early intervention, management of risk factors, and early detection / timely referral.

It supports better kidney care through education, specialist medicines, wellbeing and social support. It also helps to address health inequalities.

Health Innovation East Midlands funded an independent evaluation of the LUCID pilot service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, published in June 2024.

Following the evaluation, further positive impacts are being realised within the Integrated Care Board (ICB) area.

An economic analysis commissioned by the Health Innovation Network highlights the massive potential that could be achieved by rolling out the programme across England:

  • £69.4 million potential benefits in year one
  • £334.9 million potential benefits over five years
  • Over five years, an estimated £3.25 return for every £1 invested

Contact

For more information on our delivery of the LUCID programme in the West of England, email healthinnowest.transformation@nhs.net.

Resources

 

The original LUCID programme was developed through a Joint Working Agreement between the John Walls Renal Unit at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and AstraZeneca UK. That Joint Working project has concluded, and AstraZeneca UK has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Health Innovation East Midlands to share expertise and insights on the future implementation and scaling of LUCID.