Digital rehab tool recommended for kidney patients in Wales

Digital Health Pitchfest finalist Kidney Beam’s digital rehabilitation and self-management platform has been recommended by Health Technology Wales (HTW) for people living with chronic kidney disease.

Kidney Beam’s digital platform offers live and on-demand exercise, education, and wellbeing sessions led by renal physiotherapists and exercise professionals.

HTW, an independent national body which assesses health and care technologies, recommended that the service should be routinely adopted as an intervention for adults living with chronic kidney disease across Wales.

Sandra Currie, chief executive of Kidney Research UK, said: “This news is hugely welcome, particularly as we know the rate of growth of the kidney disease population threatens to overwhelm the NHS and cost-effective interventions like Kidney Beam are needed to help more patients stay well for longer.

“With HTW approval secured, we now urge commissioners to take on these recommendations and empower renal professionals in Wales to refer their patients to Kidney Beam as a matter of course, so that it becomes embedded into the standard model of care.”

Kidney disease affects one in 10 adults in the UK, and costs the economy £7 billion annually, according to figures from Kidney Research UK.

The app, which is designed to complement personal care and improve access for patients who may struggle to access in-person rehabilitation, features more than 350 classes, a weekly live class schedule, several programmes designed for different disease stages, plus a renal rehab intervention developed by Kings College Hospital.

HTW’s independent assessment found Kidney Beam to be a cost-effective addition to existing services, and highlighted the improvements it brings to quality of life, patient activation, and physical function by bringing rehabilitation remotely into patients’ homes.

The decision was informed by research funded by Kidney Research UK and led by King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, which showed improvements in patients’ quality of life, physical function and mental health.

Professor Sharlene Greenwood, co-founder of Kidney Beam, said: “This is a milestone for kidney care in Wales. HTW’s independent assessment recognises that digital rehabilitation can be delivered safely, at scale and with impact.

“We look forward to partnering with NHS Wales to help more people live well with chronic kidney disease.”

Kidney Beam was one of six revenue-generating startups to reach the final of the Pitchfest competition at Digital Health Rewired in March 2024 and went on to announce £610,000 in seed funding in January 2025.

In September 2025, Digital Health News reported that Sunderland Royal Hospital had launched a pilot with Kidney Beam, which aims to support patients with kidney disease to increase their physical activity and improve self-management.

Only three out of 72 NHS sites currently offer kidney-specific rehabilitation programmes, due in part to a shortage of skilled professionals.