Kidney Research UK invests in Healthinote patient education platform which could support >15m people with long term health conditions

Oxford, January 2025 – Kidney Research UK, the leading charity dedicated to kidney health, has made a significant investment in Cognitant Group Ltd, a leading provider of digital education and support tools to improve the management of long-term health conditions. This strategic move reflects Kidney Research UK’s recognition of the powerful impact that innovative, patient-centred digital resources can have on improving health outcomes for individuals living with kidney disease and related conditions.

The charity’s decision to invest follows the proven success of Cognitant’s Kidney Essentials programme, which has demonstrated substantial positive outcomes in the management of kidney disease. Kidney Essentials, a pioneering digital resource available in multiple languages and tailored specifically for kidney disease patients, co-created by Cognitant and the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, has been shown to significantly improve patient understanding of their condition, and – as an important element of a hybrid care model – reduce waiting times and necessary face to face consultations. By providing clear, accessible, and personalised information, the programme has empowered patients to take an active role in their care and make informed decisions in collaboration with their healthcare teams.

A core focus of this partnership is to tackle health inequalities by ensuring that patients from all backgrounds have access to high-quality, culturally relevant information. Kidney disease disproportionately affects certain communities, particularly those from Black and South Asian backgrounds, who are at higher risk of developing kidney-related conditions. By expanding digital education and offering resources in multiple languages and formats, Kidney Research UK and Cognitant aim to break down barriers to healthcare access, improve early diagnosis, and support better long-term disease management for underserved populations.

Cognitant’s NHS-approved Healthinote platform has already established itself as a go-to platform for health education for both patients and clinicians, improving patient self-management, health literacy and shared decision-making across a broad range of conditions. Kidney Research UK’s investment will enable the Cognitant team to expand its offerings to provide a more comprehensive, integrated solution for individuals managing a range of related long-term conditions. The aim is to ensure patients receive continuous and holistic support through every stage of their healthcare journey, prescribed by clinicians and integrated with NHS services.

Dr. Tim Ringrose, CEO of Cognitant, commented:
“We are thrilled to receive this investment from Kidney Research UK, as it underscores the tremendous potential of digital services to improve patient care. Our Kidney Essentials programme has already made a meaningful difference in the lives of patients managing kidney disease, while saving time and improving efficiency for the NHS. The partnership with Kidney Research UK reflects our shared commitment to improving health outcomes for patients with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. Healthinote, our integrated digital platform, will play a pivotal role in delivering consistent, holistic support across multiple conditions, helping patients manage their health more effectively.”

Katherine Forbes, Director of Innovation and Enterprise at Kidney Research UK added:

“Cognitant’s innovative tools will enable patients to have access to evidence-based resources, tailored to their needs, helping to personalise their care. By providing this digital, multi-lingual programme, patients should be better informed and empowered in their self-care and management of their condition, improving their quality of life and saving patients’ and clinicians’ time.

“The collaboration between Kidney Research UK and Cognitant promises to set new standards for equitable patient education and support, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life and health outcomes for patients living with kidney disease and other related conditions.”

About Kidney Research UK

Kidney Research UK is the leading charity dedicated to funding research into kidney disease and supporting people living with kidney conditions. The charity is committed to improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention through funding groundbreaking research, raising awareness, and providing patient support.

About Cognitant Group Ltd

Cognitant Group Ltd is a leader in creating digital health education and support tools for patients and clinicians. Its digital platform, Healthinote, provides a comprehensive solution for patient and clinician services, improving health literacy, and supporting shared decision-making for better health outcomes. Healthinote is used by healthcare professionals and patients to enhance understanding and management of conditions, with the ability to offer bespoke support to people across multiple conditions.

For further information or press inquiries, please contact Dr Tim Ringrose – Tim.Ringrose@cognitant.com

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