A new clinic treating patients with kidney disease will provide free screening to underinsured sufferers from next month.

Kidney Care Bermuda has formed after the merger of two previous practices — Bermuda Home Dialysis Services and Bermuda Renal Partners — and will provide comprehensive and holistic services with a mission to provide “much needed preventive services in renal care”.

KCB will be run by medical director Wendy Outerbridge. The practice also welcomes Danielle Farrington to the newly formed group. Both physicians are certified Bermudian nephrologists.

In addition, Jessica Therrien will join KCB to provide preventative nursing care and patient education.

A spokeswoman for the new group said: “Early referral to nephrology is very important to prevent patients from experiencing worsening of kidney function and early onset of dialysis.

“We hope to capture patients in the early stages of chronic kidney disease and provide them with necessary treatments and ongoing education to slow down kidney disease progression.

“Screening for kidney disease is essential since most patients don’t experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. KCB will offer free screening to underinsured or non-insured patients starting in September.”

The spokeswoman added: “The focus of preventive care and education, as always, is to slow down the progression of kidney disease and to start discussing kidney replacement therapies such as living donor transplant early.

“Receiving kidneys from living donors usually offers better outcomes after transplantation and patients don’t have to spend years waiting for a kidney.

“Starting the discussion regarding living donors early is very important so patients can ideally be transplanted before starting dialysis.

“Discussion around renal replacement options and optimal education guarantees patients a smooth transition into dialysis for those in the later stages of kidney disease. There is still large number of patients ending up on dialysis without any prior information or opportunity to select their preferred dialysis therapy.

“Our goal is to partner with patients and provide a high standard of medical care combined with essential information and tools for patients to live healthier longer lives.”

The practice is located on Victoria Street, Hamilton, across from St Paul’s Church and is now accepting referrals. For more information, call 295-8999 or click here.