RecruitingNot SpecifiedInterventional

Improving access to kidney transplantation

A kidney transplant from a living donor is one of the best treatments for kidney failure, but many people who could benefit don't receive one. This study, called The ASK Trial, wants to find out if providing extra support to patients and their families can help more people get a living-donor kidney transplant. This support might include dedicated discussions with a specialist nurse and visits to your home to talk to friends and family about kidney donation in simple language. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one receiving usual NHS care, and the other receiving this extra support. The goal is to see if these new approaches can make it easier for people to find a living donor and ultimately receive a transplant, making the process fairer for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Not Specified

Sponsor

University of Bristol

Enrolment target

592

Start

15 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2028

Living-donor kidney transplantation

What is this study about?

A kidney transplant from a living donor is a wonderful treatment for kidney failure. It can significantly improve a person's health and quality of life. However, not everyone who could benefit from this type of transplant receives one, and sometimes people from certain backgrounds find it harder to get one. This study is all about trying to make things better and fairer.

The research team wants to explore if offering more support to people with kidney disease can help them find someone willing to donate a kidney. This extra help involves special discussions with a nurse who specialises in living-donor transplants. They can talk through any worries you might have and help you think about family and friends who might be able to help. It also includes the option of a nurse and a kidney donor visiting your home to chat with your loved ones about kidney problems and how donating a kidney works, using clear and easy-to-understand information.

We don't currently know if this extra support actually makes it more likely for someone to get a kidney transplant. That's why this study is so important. By comparing groups of people who receive this extra help with those who get standard NHS care, we hope to find out if these new approaches are effective. If they are, it could mean that the NHS might offer this type of support more widely in the future, helping more people across the UK get the kidney transplant they need.

Key takeaways

Aims to help more people with kidney failure get a living-donor kidney transplant.
Tests additional support for patients and families, including nurse talks and home visits.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either usual NHS care or the new support.
No guaranteed personal benefit, but findings could help future patients.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your NHS care.
Takes place in 20 NHS hospitals across England and Wales.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over. You might be suitable if you are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, or if you are about to be put on the waiting list.

However, there are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have certain serious health conditions like active cancer, severe heart problems, an ongoing serious infection, or if your doctors believe you aren't currently well enough for a transplant after recent checks. Also, if you already have a potential living kidney donor who is going through tests, or if you're on the list for more than one organ transplant (like a kidney and pancreas together), you wouldn't be able to take part in this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, or about to go on it?
Do you have active cancer or severe ongoing heart problems?
Are you generally well enough for a kidney transplant, according to your doctors?
Do you already have a living donor who is going through tests?
Are you only waiting for a kidney transplant (not other organs as well)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be randomly placed into one of two groups. This means it's like a lottery – you'll either receive the usual care that the NHS provides, or you'll receive the extra support being tested in the study. You won't get to choose which group you are in.

If you're in the group receiving extra support, this could involve a meeting with a specialist nurse to talk about any concerns you have about finding a donor and to discuss your network of family and friends. Your hospital doctor might also send a letter to your family and friends explaining kidney donation. Additionally, a specialist nurse and someone who has already donated a kidney might visit you and your family at home to talk about kidney disease and what it's like to donate. The study aims to follow people until October 2029.

Potential risks and benefits

There's no guarantee that you will personally benefit from taking part in this study. If you're in the group receiving extra support, you *might* have a better chance of getting a kidney transplant, but we won't know for sure until the study is finished. However, the information we gather from this study will be very important and could help many other people with kidney disease in the future. There are no physical risks involved in taking part. The main things you might notice are the time you spend on appointments or discussions related to the study. We understand that talking to family and friends about kidney donation can sometimes be difficult, which is why the extra support aims to help with these conversations. Remember, you can choose to stop taking part in the study at any time without affecting your usual NHS care.

Locations (11)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

North Bristol NHS Trust
City only
Bristol, United Kingdom
Cardiff & Vale University Lhb
City only
Cardiff, United Kingdom
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Worthing, United Kingdom
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
City only
Carshalton, United Kingdom
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Unverified
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
Unverified
Neath, United Kingdom
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Unverified
Stoke-on-trent, United Kingdom
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Birmingham, United Kingdom
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Unverified
Plymouth, United Kingdom
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Exeter, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'living-donor kidney transplant'?

This is when someone, usually a family member or friend, donates one of their healthy kidneys to another person who needs it. You only need one kidney to live a healthy life.

Why is this study needed?

Although living-donor transplants are very good, not enough people get them, and some groups of people find it harder. This study wants to find new ways to help more people get a transplant fairly.

Will I get the new extra support if I join?

You will be randomly assigned to either receive the usual NHS care or the new extra support. It's like drawing lots, so you won't get to choose.

What if I decide I don't want to continue with the study?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, and this won't affect your usual medical care or your place on the transplant waiting list.

Who is running this study?

The University of Bristol is organising the study, and NHS Blood and Transplant is involved. It's taking place in 20 NHS hospitals across England and Wales.

How to find out more

Viona Rundell

ASK@nhsbt.nhs.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.