National Patient Group Meeting:
Living, Treating and Managing Arrhythmias
We are delighted that so many of you were able to join us at this important educational event. For those that attended we hope you enjoyed the presentations and opportunity to meet and chat with other patients and carers.
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“Superbly paced and lively, keeping me engaged throughout”
“Up to date information” “New ideas and views” “Good variety of topics”
“Sharing experiences”
More than 20 patients and carers attended the first Arrhythmia Alliance National Patients Day this year.
The day was a huge success with presentations given by some of the UK’s leading arrhythmia experts on a range subjects covering everything from travelling with an arrhythmia to placing lifesaving equipment in the community.
Sam Shunmoogum from Milton Keynes ICD Support Group gave a very informative talk on how his Patient Support Group has grown and what he believes his success is based on. It well-known that patients benefit from talking to each other about their condition and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.
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Sam Shunmoogum, Group Leader of Milton Keynes ICD Support Group:
How a Patient Group Works for you View
Trudie Lobban, MBE, Founder and Trustee of A-A, outlined the ways in which the charity can support the groups both established and aspiring. For more information .jpg)
on how A-A can help you and your group, please contact caroline@heartrhythmcharity.org.uk.
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder & Trustee of A-A:
What A-A Can Do for You View
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The morning session broke for lunch following Jean Maloney, Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist’s talk on ‘Getting the most from your Arrhythmia Nurse’. Of all the presentations given, this was one of the most useful, offering advice for patients to use before their appointment, ensuring that they ask the questions that are most important to them.
Jean Maloney. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust:
Getting The Most From Your Arrhythmia Nurse View
Lunchtime gave the opportunity to share ideas and experiences alongside speaking to the experts in a relaxed and informal environment.
The afternoon session went very quickly, with subjects such as ‘Living with your Device’ and ‘Exercising with an Arrhythmia’. Both sessions providing invaluable advice and prompted a lively question and answer session.
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Wendy Adams, Head of Fundraising at A-A:
Your Guide to Successful Fundraising View
Joe Eden, Community & Education Officer at A-A:
Defibrillators in the Community View
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Andreas Wolff, GP from Durham:
Exercising with an Arrhythmia View
Sue Jones, St. George's Hospital, London:
Do's and Don'ts of Travelling View
Jenny Tagney, Cardiology Nurse Consultant from Bristol:
Living with Devices View
The day came to a close with another opportunity for members to meet and chat; email addresses and telephone numbers were swapped, ideas for future meetings and publications were evolved and a sense of achievement was widely felt.
The first National Patient Group meeting was over, however the work of A-A to support the Patient Groups is only just beginning so that the ideas from the day are taken forward into 2012.
If you would like any further information of how you could become involved in a Patient Support Group or where your nearest group is, please contact caroline@heartrhythmcharity.org.uk.