Joe Tate kidney plot called ‘reckless’ and ‘irresponsible’ by national charity Kidney Research UK
The charity criticised ‘misleading narratives’
A kidney charity has raised concerns about the Joe Tate kidney plot in Emmerdale, calling it “irresponsible” and “reckless”.
Since returning to Emmerdale over Christmas, Joe has been hiding a serious health condition. It was recently revealed that he is suffering from chronic kidney disease and is in desperate need of a transplant.
However, Kidney Research UK have hit out at Emmerdale over “misleading narratives”.
Joe Tate’s kidney troubles in Emmerdale
It’s fair to say that Emmerdale’s portrayal of Joe’s kidney issues has been melodramatic. His fight for a new kidney has seen illegal extraction of blood, drugging, kidnapping and a stabbing – all to then illegally remove an organ without consent.
Joe desperately needs a kidney transplant in order to save his life. At first he drugged his half-brother Noah, but he turned out to not be a match.
He then set his sights on his uncle, Caleb Miligan. Thanks to Manpreet illegally taking blood from Caleb and giving it to Joe, Joe knows that Caleb definitely is a match.
Scenes this week saw Joe attempt to drug Caleb in order to get him unconscious. When that failed, he went to extreme measures and ordered Shaun to stab him.
Joe’s accomplice Dr Crowley was furious that he now has to save Caleb’s life before performing a kidney transplant operation.
Actor Ned Porteous, who plays Joe, recently spoke about why Joe has gone down this route instead of using the NHS. He said: “As wonderful as having a National Health Service is in this country and what a brilliant service they are. The downside being sometimes you have to wait to get what you want. There are lots of people on these transplant lists.
“And Joe, I think would assume that maybe his life is more important than others. So he’s going to do whatever he can to jump that list.”
Kidney charity call plot “reckless”
Kidney Research UK has raised concerns about the irresponsible portrayal of kidney disease in soaps and have asked for “accurate and responsible storytelling around kidney disease, rather than using it as a sensationalist plot device”.
Chronic kidney disease affects about 7.2million people in the UK, so understandably, the charity are concerned that “misleading narratives” risk creating fear and misunderstanding.
Lucy Sreeves, executive director at Kidney Research UK, said: “For millions, kidney disease is not just a plot twist. We appreciate that soaps need drama, but reckless storylines send the wrong message, creating fear and confusion at a time when we desperately need more people to understand kidney disease and step forward as living donors.
“Six people die every week waiting for a transplant, organ donation is a highly regulated process and misleading portrayals ignore the harsh reality of being on the waiting list.”
Lucy Griffiths, whose young son lives with kidney disease, also commented. She said: “People have no comprehension of what a gruelling, invasive and dangerous treatment dialysis is and how major a transplant is.
“If the soaps got this right, they could educate people about how life after living donation carries on. How agreeing to share a loved one’s organs in the most terrible circumstances can give someone the chance of a ‘normal life’. Don’t insult patients and their families by sensationalising this cruel and debilitating disease, it’s dramatic enough already.”
Emmerdale responds
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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