Bridging Cardio-Renal Care: A Nurse Practitioner’s Take

Do you have a question? Send it now...The For Kidneys Sake podcast series is brought to you by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and North West London Integrated Care Board (NWL NHS)In this episode of For Kidneys’ Sake, Professors Jeremy Levy and Dr Andrew Frankel speak with Beverley Bostock, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in primary care, Editor-in-Chief of Practice Nurse Journal, and President-Elect of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society. The discussion examines the expanding role of primary care nurses in the management of long-term conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Beverley outlines how nursing roles in general practice have evolved from task-based activities to autonomous, multidisciplinary management of patients with multimorbidity.The conversation focuses on the practical delivery of CKD care in primary care settings. Key areas include how CKD is explained to patients, the importance of recognising CKD as a marker of increased cardiovascular risk, and the role of urine albumin–creatinine ratio (ACR) testing alongside estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in risk stratification and prognosis. The episode also explores system-level factors influencing care, including incentivisation frameworks, team education, and strategies for improving the uptake of recommended monitoring and evidence-based interventions. The content is relevant to clinicians involved in the care of patients with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and CKD across both primary and secondary care.Resource Links:NICE GUIDELINES [NG203] chronic kidney disease: assessment and management Overview | Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management | Guidance | NICENorthwest London CKD guidelines for primary care Chronic kidney disease (nwlondonicb.nhs.uk)Top 3 Takeaways1. Primary care nurses play a central role in CKD management Nursing roles in general practice have developed to include autonomous assessment and long-term management of patients with CKD and related cardiometabolic conditions, working within multidisciplinary teams.2. CKD should be understood and communicated as a cardiovascular risk condition Effective patient education focuses on cardiovascular risk reduction alongside kidney monitoring, helping to align treatment decisions with long-term outcomes.3. Urine ACR testing is essential for risk stratification in CKD Measurement of urine ACR, in combination with eGFR, provides critical information on kidney disease progression and cardiovascular risk and requires consistent implementation in primary care systems.The purpose of this podcast is to inform and educate health care professionals working in the primary care and community setting. The content is evidence based and consistent with NICE guidelines and North West Guidelines available at the time of publication.The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement.You can also join the community by signing up to our newsletter here Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub