CKD for Primary Care: Supporting people with CKD (non-prescribing)

Boehringer Ingelheim has provided funding towards this education, training, and mentorship programme. Boehringer Ingelheim has had no editorial input into or influence on the agenda or content of the programme, including any supporting materials, and has not been involved in the selection of speakers, trainers, or mentors.
Course overview
A practical course for non-prescribing nurses, non-registered healthcare staff, and others who are supporting people with chronic kidney disease in primary care and community settings. It focuses on understanding risk, supporting medicines adherence and healthy lifestyles, recognising change, and knowing when to escalate concerns.
  • Modules: 2
  • Audience: Primary care nurses (non-prescribers) and unregistered staff
  • Study time:  ~30-45 minutes
  • Quiz and Certificate
Date of preparation: February 2026
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This course is currently in a beta phase. The content is complete and ready for use, but we are actively seeking feedback from primary care teams to help refine and improve future versions and to steer the content of future materials. If you have suggestions or spot anything that could be clearer or more useful in practice, we would value your input.

About the course

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects around 1 in 10 UK adults and is a lifelong condition with important implications for health and wellbeing. Even in its early stages, CKD is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and progression of kidney disease over time.

Most people living with CKD are cared for in primary care and will never need referral to a kidney specialist. However, effective management relies on early identification of risk, consistent monitoring, adherence to protective medicines, healthy lifestyle choices, and timely escalation when problems arise.

Primary care nurses and unregistered staff play a vital role in this process. Through routine contact, continuity of care, and support, they help people with CKD understand their condition, engage with treatment plans, and seek help early when unwell.

This course is designed to support those roles by providing clear information, aligned with national guidance and patient-facing resources.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Explain what CKD is, why it often causes no symptoms in its early stages, and how it differs from acute kidney injury

Explain why people with CKD are commonly prescribed several medicines and why long-term adherence matters even when someone feels well

Identify people most at risk of CKD and understand why early detection and routine monitoring matter

Recognise common concerns about monitoring, medicines, and lifestyle — and respond in a way that supports engagement and long-term care

Describe how blood and urine tests are used together to identify, confirm, and monitor CKD over time

Identify situations that warrant escalation and understand how raising concerns early helps protect people from avoidable harm

Course Lessons