Over the past five years the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease has improved “significantly”, according to health officials.

The Department of Health said good progress had been made since the launch of the national service framework for renal services, despite the fact that one in eight people in England are estimated to be living with kidney disease.

Initiatives such as the NHS health check programme are expected to lead to further advances.

Health minister Ann Keen said: “More people are being diagnosed earlier, which can improve the quality of life for people living with kidney disease.

“But we are not complacent - we will continue to drive forwards further improvements in the prevention and management of acute kidney injury and increasing choice of treatment options for patients.”

National clinical director for kidney care Donal O’Donoghue said: “The national service framework set out a vision for the NHS. The commitment to delivering this vision is having clear benefits for patients, including improved diagnosis and management in primary care and a decrease in the number of late referrals for dialysis and transplants.

“There is still a lot more work to be done and I hope to see progress in all areas of kidney care continue over the next five years as we move services from good to great.”

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