Dr Adrian Liew is a senior consultant nephrologist and director of The Kidney & Transplant Practice at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre. He was the founding Head of the Department of Renal Medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital from 2009 to 2018, where he developed glomerular disease and chronic peritoneal dialysis programmes.
His clinical interests include glomerular diseases such as IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis and membranous nephropathy, as well as diabetic kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.
He has served on KDIGO international guideline working groups for diabetes management in chronic kidney disease and for glomerular diseases, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh), the American Society of Nephrology and the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.
Clinical focus
Glomerulonephritis & autoimmune kidney disease.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS, FASN, MClinEpid.
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: The Kidney & Transplant Practice — Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Novena
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
Getting to the clinic
The Kidney & Transplant Practice is at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre on Irrawaddy Road, in the Novena medical cluster. The most convenient way to arrive by public transport is the MRT: Novena station (NS20 on the North-South Line) is a short walk away, with sheltered links to the surrounding medical buildings. From the station you can reach the specialist centre on foot in a few minutes.
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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.
Buses serving Thomson Road and the Novena area stop nearby, and the location is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing, with a sheltered drop-off and a paid visitor car park at Mount Elizabeth Novena. As kidney follow-up often involves repeat visits, it is worth noting the most direct route and allowing extra time during weekday peak hours when the Novena health-care precinct is busy.
What glomerulonephritis and autoimmune kidney care cover
Nephrology is the medical specialty of the kidneys, and this practice focuses on glomerulonephritis and autoimmune kidney disease alongside other kidney conditions. The glomeruli are the tiny filtering units of the kidney, and glomerulonephritis refers to a group of conditions in which these become inflamed, which can affect how well the kidneys filter the blood. The stated interests include IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis and membranous nephropathy, which are specific types of glomerular disease.
Autoimmune kidney disease arises when the immune system affects the kidneys, as in lupus nephritis. Managing these conditions often involves careful diagnosis, sometimes including a kidney biopsy, and treatment that may use medications to calm immune activity while monitoring kidney function. The practice also covers diabetic kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation, giving a broad scope across both immune-related and other causes of kidney disease.
What to expect at a consultation
A first consultation usually begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history and any autoimmune or kidney conditions. The nephrologist will examine you, including blood pressure and fluid status, and review previous blood and urine results and any biopsy or imaging reports you bring.
Investigations such as blood tests, urine tests for protein and blood, and sometimes a kidney biopsy may be arranged to identify the specific type of glomerular or autoimmune kidney disease. The doctor will then explain the findings and outline a treatment plan, which may involve medication to manage immune activity, blood-pressure control and regular monitoring. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand how your condition will be followed up.
Preparing for your appointment
To make the consultation productive, bring the following:
- Photo identification and any insurance details.
- A referral letter from your GP, polyclinic or hospital, if you have one.
- Recent kidney-related blood and urine results, and any kidney biopsy or imaging reports.
- A full list of medications and supplements, including any immune-related treatments.
- A written list of symptoms and questions, and recent home blood-pressure readings if you record them.
If you have an autoimmune condition such as lupus, bringing related specialist reports helps the nephrologist see the full picture of how it may be affecting your kidneys.
After your consultation and follow-up
Glomerular and autoimmune kidney conditions are usually long-term and can change over time, so follow-up visits are used to monitor kidney function, protein in the urine and the response to treatment, and to adjust medication. Test results are reviewed at these visits, and reports can be shared with your GP and other specialists, such as rheumatologists, for coordinated care.
Seek prompt medical attention if you develop marked swelling, breathlessness, a sudden drop in urine output, blood in the urine or other concerning symptoms. You are entitled to seek a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment if you wish, which some patients consider before starting longer-term immune-related treatment.
Booking, referrals and fees
Private specialists can usually be seen without a referral, though a GP or polyclinic referral may help if you are seeking subsidised care in the public system. In Singapore, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to eligible procedures and treatments within set limits, while outpatient consultations are generally paid out of pocket. Confirm the expected fees and what your insurance or MediSave may cover directly with the clinic.
Common questions
What is glomerulonephritis?
Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units, the glomeruli. It covers several conditions and can affect how well the kidneys filter the blood, so accurate diagnosis is important.
Why might I need a kidney biopsy?
A kidney biopsy can help identify the specific type of glomerular or autoimmune kidney disease, which guides the most appropriate treatment. The nephrologist will explain whether it is needed in your case.
How is lupus nephritis managed?
Lupus nephritis is kidney involvement from lupus and is often managed with medications that calm immune activity, alongside blood-pressure control and monitoring, frequently in coordination with a rheumatologist.
What does protein or blood in the urine indicate?
Protein or blood in the urine can be a sign of glomerular disease. A nephrologist interprets these findings together with other tests to assess and monitor your kidney condition.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of nephrologists (kidney specialists) in Singapore and our shortlist of nephrology clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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