For anyone on haemodialysis, needling is part of the routine, and we know it is not always an easy one. So we were glad to hear about a piece of research from the University of Salford that is working to make the needling experience better for patients, and that has Greater Manchester firmly in mind.
The team is looking for local patients and family members to take part, and you can read the full information and register your interest on the University of Salford sign-up page. Below, we share what it is all about.
What the needling experience study is about
Needling, the insertion of needles for haemodialysis, can be uncomfortable and at times distressing. To help, researchers worked with patients to create the Needling Patient Reported Experience Measure, known as the NPREM. It is a short questionnaire that asks about the things that matter most in a person’s needling experience, and it is designed to help patients and dialysis staff talk openly about what works best for each individual.
Until now the NPREM has only existed on paper. A new digital version has been created, along with a dashboard that displays the results, and the research team now needs feedback from the people who will actually use it. The aim is straightforward: to make sure the digital NPREM is easy to complete and genuinely helpful. The team plans to pilot it at Manchester Royal Infirmary later this year, so local voices are especially valuable.
Why patients are being asked to take part
A tool like this only works if it reflects real experience, which is why the researchers want to hear from the people who live it. You have been invited if you have lived experience of needling for haemodialysis, or if you support someone who does. The only other requirements are that you are over 18 and able to give your consent. You can take part whether or not you feel confident with technology, because the whole point is to find out what is clear and what could be better. If you have ever had a thought about how needling could be improved, this is a chance to put it to good use. You can read more about dialysis on our site if you would like a refresher first.
What taking part in the focus group involves
The research team will run a focus group for patients and family members. It is relaxed and workshop style, with plenty of discussion as everyone looks at the prototype together. Here is what to expect:
- When: summer 2026, likely late June or early July, with the exact date agreed once people have signed up.
- Where: online via Zoom or Teams, or in person somewhere in Greater Manchester, decided by the group.
- How long: between one and two hours.
- Who: the research team, Dr Currie Moore and Dr Cristina Vasilica, together with around eight to ten other patients and family members.
- Reimbursement: patients and family members are paid £25 per hour for their time, plus travel costs where they apply.
- Your privacy: the session is audio recorded so that every view is captured, then anonymised. You are free to pause, stop, or withdraw at any point, up to two weeks afterwards.
The conversation will focus on the digital questionnaire and how the results are shown, rather than on anyone’s individual medical care. The team understands that talking about needling can bring up difficult memories, so there is always the option to take a break, and a member of the team will follow up afterwards if you would find that helpful.
How to sign up for the needling experience study
If you would like to take part, or simply to find out more, you can read the full information and register your interest through the University of Salford sign-up page. You can also email the lead researcher, Dr Currie Moore, directly at c.r.moore@salford.ac.uk. The study is led by the University of Salford and has been reviewed and approved by its Health Research Ethics Panel.
It is a genuine opportunity to shape a tool that could improve the needling experience for dialysis patients here in Greater Manchester and well beyond. Dr Vasilica is also a co-founder of the Kidney Information Network, so this work sits alongside other local efforts you can explore through the Greater Manchester Kidney Information Network.
So much of what makes dialysis easier comes from patients being listened to, and this is a real chance to be heard. We would encourage anyone in our community who has lived with needling to think about taking part, because the people who know it best are the ones who can help make it better.
Guy Hill, Chair of MRIKPA
At MRIKPA we are always glad to support research that puts patients at its heart, and we will keep sharing opportunities like this through our research and news updates. If you would like to talk it through with people who understand the day to day of dialysis, you are always welcome to reach out to us at support@mrikpa.org.uk or on 07745 242 684.
Source: Digital NPREM Participant Information Sheet (version 2, 15 May 2026), University of Salford. Study led by Dr Currie Moore and Dr Cristina Vasilica, funded through the University of Salford Knowledge Exchange Pump Priming Fund.
This article is provided for general information and awareness purposes only and was believed to be accurate at the time of publishing. It is not intended as medical advice. Please always consult your doctor or renal team for guidance on your individual circumstances. Images used are for illustration purposes only and may not be medically or editorially accurate. While we take every care, errors can occur. If you spot an inaccuracy, please let us know at support@mrikpa.org.uk.
