Renal Social Work Team

Two members of the team – Kelly-Anne Dyson-Baggaley, Emma Robinson
Contact telephone number: 01142269215 (Within office hours 08:45 – 17:15)
Contact address: Social Work Dept (Old nurses building), Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
Email contact: Kelly-Anne.Dyson-Baggaley@sth.nhs.uk, Emma.Robinson4@sth.nhs.uk

About the social work team

We offer support, advice and signposting around benefits
This might include Personal Independence payments, Carer’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance etc
We can support renal patients with appeals and tribunals where appropriate
Where needed, we can also refer on for more specialist and financial advice

There can be times when it is hard to meet the costs of everyday living
We work with kidney charities who can sometimes provide grants to cover the cost of emergency support in times of difficulty. Grants can include utilities bills, essential household furniture and unexpected bills.
Having a holiday is important to everyone. The charities offer contributions towards a break for those on low incomes.

We support patients who are making decisions about their studies or jobs and are wondering how to fit their studies or work around having kidney disease.
We encourage employers to look at making “reasonable adjustments” to allow renal patients to continue working.
We can speak to colleges, schools and universities to help you find ways to carry on with your education.
For those who need to stop working or studying, we can provide support with finding alternatives and accessing relevant employment benefits.

We advise renal patients about what support may be available to them in the home. This can include practical and personal support, and support for families and carers.
We also help patients who may need equipment and adaptations in their home, or who may need help with re-housing.
We carry out social care assessments according to the Care Act. For those with care needs in Sheffield we can also help set up home support for them, promoting independence and control over their care through self-directed support. This can include the use of direct payments for more personalised support. For those outside of Sheffield we can refer to the appropriate Local Authority.

We support patients who are adjusting to their diagnosis and who are making changes in their lives.
We support patients who are learning to regain control over their lives.
We support patients who are learning to adjust to their treatment and to live well with their kidney failure.
If you need to talk, we are here

At initial contact we will try to offer advice or if necessary signpost you to the most appropriate service. We operate a waiting system, which is prioritised through urgency of need