An exploratory study to determine the effectiveness of a chronic kidney disease (CKD) nurse working with general practitioners (GP) versus usual care with nephrologists in the comprehensive care of stable Stage 3-4 CKD patients in the Eastern Health Integrated Renal Service

INTERVENTION: Currently stage 3‐4 CKD patients attend a renal clinic to see a nephrologist every 3‐4 months. Patients allocated to the intervention group will attend a renal clinic and be seen by a CKD nurse. The clinic will be held at the same time as the current renal clinic and enrolled patients will be seen one on one by a CKD nurse. Each clinic visit will take 30minutes. Patients will be seen by the CKD nurse once every 3‐4months for a period of 2 years. CONDITION: Chronic kidney disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: The care of stable Stage 3‐4 CKD patients reviewed every 3‐4 months in a clinic run by a CKD nurse will not be inferior to the care of these patients having 3‐4 monthly reviews with nephrologists. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Results of the Renal Quality of Life Questionnaire INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Male and female patients aged over 18 years 2) a) eGFR 25‐59ml/min with decline in eGFR of no more than 10% per year over the last 2 years based on pathology results, if available b) Patients aged >=75 years who are opting for conservative management (i.e. not for dialysis) with eGFR as low as 20ml/min can be included