THE SCOTTISH KIDNEY FEDERATION
A brief history of the SKF.
The ‘Scottish Federation of Kidney Patient’s Associations was founded in 1978 by Gavin MacGregor himself a kidney patient. His vision was to see the KPA’s from across Scotland meet up maybe once or twice a year to exchange information, experiences and socialise. Initially he set up indoor sporting competitions which were very successful and enjoyed by everyone who attended. Sadly Gavin became too ill to carry on with the SFKPA so it became dormant. In 1998, Mr George Scott, the then Chair of Stobhill KPA, approached Mr MacGregor with the idea of re-constituting the SFKPA and becoming more involved with patient issues. This was explained as becoming the voice of patients across Scotland, via their KPA’s, the delivery of their treatment, care and service provision.
The SFKPA was reconstituted in the autumn of 1998. We have become familiar faces at various renal conferences and debates to which we had been invited to and our views, experiences and opinions are accepted openly and welcomed by the professionals on these bodies.
The SFKPA agreed to shorten and condense their title to The Scottish Kidney Federation in 2005. We also changed the logo and started to collect lots of information on all aspects of renal Issues for our members. Our Leaflets are on display at any meetings we have or are involved with. We are dedicated to informing our members about anything to do with their condition. We believe that to share information reduces fear but gains knowledge.
The current Committee consists of:
CHAIR: Mr Peter MacDonald - Western Isles KPA
TREASURER: Mr Andrew Allison, Glasgow Western KPA
SECRETARY: Miss Alison Blezard, South East Scotland KPA
Minutes Secretary: Mrs Jane Bryce, Highland & Island KPA
Ordinary Members:
Mr Ewen MacLean (Co-Opted)
Mr Alan Henderson (individual)
Mr Mike O'Neill (Co-Opted) Advisory Position
As you can see, our committee is small and consists of KPA members from across Scotland. If you would like to join the committee and represent your KPA or area, please get in touch; scottishkidneyfederation@yahoo.com
Meetings:
The SKF endeavour to hold regular meetings throughout the year. The venues for the meetings vary as we try to hold meetings convenient to our member KPA's and groups. We ask our members if they would lke to host a meeting in their area and we will visit.
Committee members come from across Scotland, so visiting new areas to reach our members is a challenging but also fulfilling experience as we get to meet other patients and their Carers and exchange views, experiences and opinions on the treatments, care and services within the different Health Authorities across Scotland. View the 'EVENTS' section of the website for dates of meetings.
