‘My New Kidney’ transplant book praised as it arrives at RHC

Children at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, who are facing having a kidney transplant, are being given a new book which explains the complex procedure to them.

‘My New Kidney’ is specially tailored to support children with kidney disease and the RHC was gifted 100 copies by Get Better Books last week. Funded by Kidney Research UK and the James Weir Foundation, the books help prepare children and families for their kidney transplant operation.

The playful, interactive books show what to expect in the lead up to and after their operation using a fun approach to alleviate anxiety. The book for children is designed to encourage the recipients to colour, comment, write questions, draw and stick things in – creating important engagement so families can explore the transplant process together. A book specifically designed for older children and teenagers will also be available, designed with content more appropriate for their age.

The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow recently celebrated its 300th successful kidney transplant operation and Dr Ben Reynolds, Paediatric Kidney Specialist for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde praised the new books for how they help to communicate what will happen during and after the operation.

He said: “When you sit down with a child and explain the complex and unfamiliar process of having a transplant, it can be really difficult not to create some level of anxiety within them and their parents. These books are fantastic resources that help them through all the stages of their upcoming procedure in a really fun and silly way too. It is fantastic to have such a brilliant book in our hands and I know it will help so many children understand their transplant journey.

“Here at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow we recently marked 300^thsuccessful kidney  transplant, which gave us a great opportunity to reflect on the number of lives that have been changed thanks to those who decide to donate kidneys and the team of specialists here.”

The books are hand finished with holographic sticker, gold envelope and letter, felt tips and printed drawstring bag. They will also receive 60 books designed for older children and teenagers.

Non-profit publishers Get Better Books have previously worked with Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool to create bespoke patient materials for children facing a range of clinical conditions. Their designer and illustrator Georgina Potier said: “We started Get Better Books with the goal of creating beautiful, interactive books and communication design to help paediatric patients understand their treatment, alleviate anxiety and get better!”

Brogan Ritchie, community and events manager from Kidney Research UK added: “We wanted to offer support to families, at what can be a very stressful time.

“The children will often have been through a great deal in their short lives. The team at Get Better Books have worked closely with Dr Reynolds and the staff at the hospital and created this fantastic guide for children, siblings and their parents.”

All children who are preparing for a transplant will receive their own copy of the book which comes with felt tips and a ‘My New Kidney’ drawstring bag. The book can be used by the children and their families to talk about the transplant before, during and afterwards.