Our learning labs will be hands-on, interactive sessions where delegates can actively engage in learning and skill-building activities. Each learning lab will be designed to provide practical and experiential learning opportunities, focusing on the specific topic, skill, or technology relevant to your session.
Learning Labs are included in full conference registration.
Learning Labs will be held on Wednesday 17 June 2026 from 1300 – 1700 over two concurrent streams
Stream 1 – 1300 – 1445
Lab 1 – Diverse Plates and Common Goals in Kidney Nutrition: Evidence, Evolution, and Empowerment (will continue in Lab 4)
Facilitator/s: Jo Stocking, Hilary Dumbleton
There is no one Diet for Kidney Disease, stage and type of CKD, electrolyte levels, food preferences, cultural background, and many other personal factors will all influence a patients food intake. This workshop is designed for nurses of all levels of experience to enhance their confidence in discussing nutrition with patients at all stages of CKD. Guided activities will be included to help you understand the nutrition needs, challenges and practicalities for patients with CKD.
Key Takeaways:
- Overview of latest research on Nutrition for Kidney Disease and how changes in research affect our patients
- Small group activities focussing on electrolyte and fluid management, malnutrition, working with patients from diverse backgrounds
- Developing skills on talking to patients on about food and nutrition
- Practical skills on identifying patients at risk of malnutrition
Lab 2 – SAVE OUR SOLE: Management of Diabetic High Risk Foot and Ulcers
Facilitator/s: Elson Ng, Podiatrist
The Diabetes and Wound Care Learning Lab provide healthcare professionals with essential skills to assess, manage, and prevent diabetes-related wounds, including foot care and complex cases. Through case discussions, hands-on practice, and multidisciplinary collaboration, participants will enhance patient outcomes while integrating education and supportive care principles.
Key Takeaways:
- Perform thorough foot care and wound assessment for diabetes-related wounds.
- Apply evidence-based management strategies, including advanced therapies for complex wounds
- Integrate patient education and supportive/palliative care into wound management.
- Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes.
Lab 3 – Voices + Variables: A Research Remix
Facilitator/s: Edward Zimbudzi, Ginger Chu, Rajeev Kumar
The session will begin with an interactive Kahoot activity to gauge participants’ existing knowledge of research. This will be followed by a short presentation introducing key concepts in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Participants will then engage in a facilitated discussion, allowing them to share their own research topics and ask questions. The session will conclude with a second Kahoot activity to reinforce learning and assess participants’ understanding.
Key Takeaways:
- Participants will develop a foundational understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- The session will encourage active engagement and reflection on participants’ own research ideas.
- Interactive activities (e.g., Kahoot) will be used to reinforce learning and assess understanding in real time.
- Participants will have the opportunity to clarify questions and build confidence in discussing research concepts.
Stream 2 – 1515 – 1700
Lab 4 – Diverse Plates and Common Goals in Kidney Nutrition: Evidence, Evolution, and Empowerment (continued)
See information in Lab 1.
Lab 5 – Comfort, Care, and Collaboration: Advancing Kidney Supportive Care
Facilitator/s: Thomas Evans, Terry Jennings, Natty Miles
This session explores integrating Kidney Supportive Care into routine nephrology practice. Participants will strengthen skills in symptom management, communication, and shared decision-making while addressing psychosocial and caregiver needs. Through case discussion and practical strategies, clinicians will gain tools to deliver compassionate, person-centred care across the trajectory of advanced kidney disease.
Key Takeaways:
- Kidney Supportive Care enhances quality of life at every stage of advanced CKD.
- Effective symptom management requires proactive assessment and safe, individualized treatment.
- Skilled, compassionate communication supports shared decision-making and dignity in care.
Lab 6 – Strategies to get people with kidney disease moving more: what can kidney clinicians do?
Facilitator/s: Prof Paul Bennett, Dr Brett Tarca
Leading kidney exercise clinicians and researchers from the Global Renal Exercise Network (GREX) will present strategies to get people with kidney disease moving more. The learning lab will cover specific strategies for people with CKD, those on haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and prehabilitation for people receiving kidney transplants. The session will focus on what kidney patients “can do” rather than what they “can’t do.”
Key Takeaways:
- Increased knowledge of the prevalence, assessment and interventions for people with CKD and kidney failure
- Know what nephrology nurses, nephrologists, dieticians, and exercise professionals can prescribe and advise on exercise practices
- Be able to demonstrate exercises for patients who may range from extreme frailty to functionally independent
- An understanding of what it would take to develop and implement an exercise program in the attendee’s own practice area