Digital health self-management and rehabilitation platform Kidney Beam, a Digital Health Pitchfest finalist, 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 wellness sessions led by renal physiotherapists and exercise professionals.
HTW, an independent national body that evaluates health and care technologies, It recommended that the service 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 very welcome, especially as we know the growth rate of the kidney disease population threatens to overwhelm the NHS and cost-effective interventions like Kidney Beam are needed to help more patients stay healthier for longer.
“With approval of HTW secured, we now urge commissioners to adopt these recommendations and train renal professionals in Wales to refer their patients to Kidney Beam as a matter of course, so that it becomes integrated into the standard care model.”
Kidney disease affects one in 10 adults in the UK and costs the economy £7bn a year, according to figures from Kidney Research UK.
The app, which is designed to complement self-care and improve access for patients who may have difficulty accessing in-person rehabilitation, features more than 350 classes, a weekly schedule of live classes, several programs designed for different stages of the disease, plus a renal rehabilitation intervention developed by Kings College Hospital.
HTW’s independent evaluation 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 to patients’ homes.
The decision was based on 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 bundlesaid: “This is a milestone for kidney care in Wales. HTW’s independent evaluation recognizes 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 finals of the Pitchfest competition at Digital Health Rewired in March 2024 and then announced £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 help patients with kidney disease increase their physical activity and improve self-management.
Currently, only three of the 72 NHS sites offer kidney-specific rehabilitation programmes, due in part to a shortage of trained professionals.
