"No specific dietary options for Renal/Dialysis..."

My most recent stay at whiston was on 10th September 2016 although I have been admitted to whiston a number of times since April 2014 as an inpatient when I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure and chronic kidney disease.

As a result I am on a low potassium diet - as my kidneys don't work properly I can't eliminate potassium very well, too much potassium can cause me to have irregular heartbeat and potential heart failure.

During each stay at whiston I have fiund that there is no specific menu for kidney patients, and lots of the meals contain high potassium foods, so it can be difficult to find suitable meals at dinner time.

Furthermore, even when my family have informed staff of the foods I can't eat, on ocassion I've still been given them (I also have memory problems and can't always remember what I can and can't eat safely). I find it puzzling as there are options for diabetic patients, gluten free, vegetarian etc yet nothing specific for kidney or dialysis patients? I hasten to add this is not just at whiston, but in other hospitals I've stayed at.

Please can this be addressed as it has caused me and my family issues in the past during hospital stays, also some training for staff around safe foods for dialysis patients as Very few seem to be aware of the risks associated with high potassium levels and the risks in chronic kidney disease patients.

On a more positive note, each stay at whiston has been otherwise great - it is exceptionally clean, the majority of staff are friendly and accommodating and you're treated with dignity and respect.

Last admission was on 10th September. Good experience, but staff did seem very thin on the ground and were rushed off their feet which made it hard to speak to them about my consultation.

As a result, I was on a stretcher for a very long time waiting to go for a scan, we were there from 2pm in a and e until I was eventually sent for my scan at around 9pm and then kept in for observation.

The staff were very professional and caring towards me, the care I received was excellent, just took a very long time to be seen to, other than that, very good. Thank you.