Mcguigan, K.

Background: End‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) is an overwhelming illness that impacts not just patients, but also their informal carers. Patients who opt for conservative management rather than dialysis experience difficult symptoms and the psychosocial consequences of their condition.

Background: Direct Payments (DP) is a service user-implemented scheme in which the individuals assessed as needing personal, social or health-related care services are given cash payments, allowing them to ‘buy in’ services they require. Previous research indicates DP offer the user greater control and flexibility over their care.