FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP (MEDWAY)



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16 Barberry Avenue, Chatham Kent ME5 9TE

Telephone: 01634 865925 E-mail: fibromedway@yahoo.co.uk

Website: fibrosupportmedway.

August 2010 ISSUE 48

Next Meeting: Thursday 23rd September, at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Maidstone Road,

Chatham ME4 6JE. 1.00pm to 3.00pm

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MEETING DATES FOR 2010

Thursday 23rd September – Dr Nabil Louis a Doctor employed by Atos Healthcare, the company who employ the Drs who assess claimants for benefits

Thursday 25th November – Living With Fibromyalgia, a talk given by Margaret Robson at a Conference for Doctors in Ashford in October.

All at the above address and time.

JULY MEETING

At the July meeting some members shared their experiences of obtaining the services of the Pain Clinic in Sittingbourne, and various other helpful pieces of information.

Our speaker for this meeting was Dianne Stewart a Traditional Acupuncturist who works both privately and with the Sittingbourne Pain Clinic. Patients who have been referred to the Sittingbourne Pain Clinic may have access to this service.

Dianne gave a very interesting and thought-provoking presentation, and was very knowledgeable about her subject.

A full report will be given in the next newsletter.

NORTH KENT FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP FUNDING SUCCESS

We are very pleased to announce that the Fibromyalgia Support Group in North Kent have been successful in obtaining £1600 from Grassroots Grants (a funding body the Medway Group has previously had success with)

We are delighted with their success as they have worked hard since we helped them to set up the Group earlier this year, and they fully deserve all that they have achieved. We wish them well for the future.

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES

Please note that telephone calls to the group should be made on weekdays between 10am and 5pm. For those who are at work and unable to make telephone calls during those times, it would be appreciated if calls could be made during weekday evenings before 7.00pm.

SUPPORTERS’ HELPLINE

Ron Robson is available on 01634 865925 to take calls from supporters of those with Fibromyalgia, who just need to talk about their concerns.

FUNDING UPDATE

The balance in our Bank Account at the end of May 2010, was £3222.50.

Expenditure since then has been, £146.94 for photocopying, £5.05 for Postage, £8.05 for Library, and £00.88 for Sundries.

This leaves a total of £3061.58.

At the July meeting and during the past two months, we raised, £31 on the raffle, £5 for books, £14 for pens, £11.10 for refreshments, £95 in donations, £26 for sale of 024 Fibromyalgia, and £3 for Car Stickers.

This gives a total of £185.10 to be deposited in our bank account.

This gives us total of funds of £3246.68.

DONATIONS

I would like to acknowledge all donations sent in during the last two months. All donations help ensure the service remains at the present level. I am not able to respond to each one personally but please accept our thanks to you all. Thanks also for the lovely letters I receive. They are much appreciated

DROP-IN INFORMATION SURGERIES

We had our second Drop-in/surgery session in Gillingham, funded by Cllr Andy Stamp, on 5th July from 6 to 8pm.

Although only a few people attended, those that did found it very helpful, especially being able to have a one-to-one talk with us. I’d like to thank Margaret Randerson, one of our Librarians, for coming to both these sessions and helping us by talking to people and making the teas and coffees. We’re really grateful for that help.

There will be two more sessions later in the year. These will be in the Autumn. Dates to be confirmed.

NORTH KENT GROUP

This Group is not only for those living in Dartford but also those living in the surrounding areas of Gravesend, Bexley, Sidcup, Erith, Eltham, and Swanley. Meetings are held at The Church Hall, Christchurch Road, Dartford DA1 3DH (near Dartford Grammar Schools), (ample car parking facilities available)

Contact: Philomena (Phyl) on 01322 528108 or e-mail: fibromyalgia.nkent@yahoo.co.uk

MAIDSTONE GROUP MEETINGS

Maidstone & Weald Support Group meet at the Maidstone Community Support Centre, Marsham Street, Maidstone.

Contact: Heather Hammond on 01580 715503 or heather.hammond@mypostoffice.co.uk

SITTINGBOURNE & SHEPPEY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

St Peter’s Church Hall, St Peter’s Close, Sheerness.

Meet on the 2nd Friday in February, April, June, August, October & December at 12.15-2.15pm.

Contact Maria on 01795 873379.

IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND MEETINGS

If you can’t attend meetings but you live in any of these areas and wish to join any of those groups (those already signed up to the Medway Group can still stay with this Group as well for as long as they wish), please let the relevant Co-ordinator know.

GROUP PENS NOW FOR SALE

We now have our own group pens for sale for £1 each. Please send a stamped addressed envelope with your money to obtain these easy to hold pens.

FIBROMYALGIA AND DEPRESSION

By Karen Lee Richards

For many years the medical community tried to link Fibromyalgia and depression.  And despite evidence to the contrary, some in the psychological arena still insist on believing that fibromyalgia is caused by - or at least strongly linked to - depression. 

The fact is, depression is no more prevalent with fibromyalgia than it is with any other chronic illness.  The Cleveland Clinic describes depression as a “complication” of chronic illness and estimates that “up to one-third of individuals with a serious medical condition experience symptoms of depression.”  They list the following depression rates for various illnesses:

Heart attack: 40%-65%

Parkinson’s disease: 40%

Multiple sclerosis: 40%

Stroke: 10%-27%

Cancer: 25%

Diabetes: 25%

I've seen various estimates as to the rate of depression for people with Fibromyalgia, but they tend to range between 20 – 30%, about the same as for cancer, diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

I have to admit, it still frustrates me when I see articles that list depression as a symptom of Fibromyalgia.  It is not a symptom, but rather a co morbid condition – a condition that sometimes occurs simultaneously with another illness – just as irritable bowel syndrome and migraines are co morbid conditions of FM.

It's actually not surprising that any chronic illness, including Fibromyalgia, would sometimes be accompanied by depression.  Chronic illness often causes major lifestyle changes.  It can severely impact an individual's ability to work, function in the household, and socialize.  It may add significant stress to a marriage and other close relationships.  All of these things could contribute to feelings of depression.  People with Fibromyalgia also tend to have low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, which are thought to be connected with depression.

Identifying Depression

Although I think some people over-emphasize the connection between Fibromyalgia and depression, I don't want to minimize the importance of identifying and treating depression if it exists.  While treating the depression doesn't make the Fibromyalgia go away, it can make it much easier to cope with. 

Some common symptoms of depression include:

Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities

Significant weight gain or weight loss

Sleeping too much or not able to sleep

Problems with concentration

Apathy (lack of feeling or emotion)

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Fatigue or loss of energy

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

If you have several of the symptoms above, be sure to tell your doctor.  Note: some of the symptoms of depression are also symptoms of fibromyalgia – sleep disturbances, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.  This can sometimes make it more difficult to distinguish between the two, so the other symptoms are very important in identifying depression. 

Treating Depression

Depression is usually treated with a combination of antidepressant medication and therapy.  I think both are important components in dealing with and recovering from depression. 

Medication – If you have a chemical imbalance, the medication will help bring those chemicals back to normal levels.  Two of the three medications approved for the treatment of Fibromyalgia (Editor’s Note: this article is written by an American and these medications are not approved in the UK for Fibromyalgia) – Cymbalta and Savella – are classified as antidepressants, but are prescribed in lower doses for FM than for depression.  In addition to their effects on serotonin and norepinephrine, antidepressants can also help block pain and improve sleep. If you are suffering from depression as well as FM, you might need to take a higher dosage of the antidepressant.

Therapy – Sometimes people are uncomfortable with the idea of talking with a counsellor or psychologist, but it really can be very helpful.  Actually, working with a therapist can be helpful even if you don't have depression.  They can be very good at helping you learn to recognise how you respond to pain and teaching you techniques that can aid you in coping with your FM symptoms and the changes it has brought about in your life. 

The bottom line is, don't let depression go untreated.  Getting appropriate treatment for depression will not only help you feel better overall, but it may also help ease the severity of some of the physical FM symptoms.

Source: Chronic Illness and Depression. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

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May 2010

ROYAL COLLEGE OF GPS ANNOUNCE CHRONIC PAIN AS CLINICAL PRIORITY

The Royal College of GPs has announced that chronic pain will be one of its four clinical priorities for 2011 - 2013.

 

The CPPC is pleased by this decision which was instigated by CPPC Executive Committee member and Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Pain Committee, Dr Martin Johnson.

 

This decision will raise the profile of pain management in primary care – which is an important step to ensuring that GPs are best able to diagnose and treat pain. With the majority of chronic pain cases being treated by GPs, this decision is great news for patients.

 

The Royal College of GPs will now begin the process of developing a remit for the three-year programme of work and the recruitment of a clinical champion for chronic pain will begin in Autumn 2010.

From Chronic Pain Policy Coalition – April 2010

MUSIC CAN HELP YOU FEEL BETTER

By Pam Wright

LCA Cert.Ed(dist) LRAM ARCM

Pam began her talk by explaining that she was born in Kent and trained at the Royal Academy of Music as a pianist and teacher. She was a Secondary school Head of Music working in schools in Herts. Latterly she worked in Special Education in Kent. She has a wide interest in all types of music.

Pam has had Fibromyalgia since 2001, and is passionate about people taking as much control of their health as is possible and through this enjoying life. She said it is important to have a holistic view of life and living. How you feel about yourself really matters, and YOU really do matter.

Pam explained that the mind, body and spirit are affected by sound. Having an illness can make you more sensitive and this is especially so with Fibromyalgia. The body responds to sound. Someone’s tone of voice can soothe, calm, excite, or bring peace and comfort. Alternatively it can grate on the nerves, cause fear, anger, or apprehension. It’s often how we feel that makes the difference as to how we view what is being said to us. We have the power to change ourselves and this can be helped by the music we listen to.

Music is organised sound. There are 3 basic elements to any sound. These are, the pitch (how high or low the sound is), the volume (how loud that sound is), and the timbre (the tone of the sound –all levels of brightness).

Pam told us that her aim was to get us to become active listeners so that we can help ourselves even more than we do at present. She had put in some of her favourite music but only as an example of how we can work out what works well for us at certain times. She told us that we have our own lives to lead, and we should just take her ideas and strategies and make them our own.

She said that we can choose to do any or all of the following according to how we feel at any time, and not to worry if we can do more at some times than others, we should just DO IT.

• Sit or lie peacefully listening to music

• Sit or lie down moving your fingers, hands, arms, toes, ankles, knees, legs, even your head

• Sit or stand to move your hips, shoulders, arms etc

• Move by walking, shuffling, dancing, marching.

• Conduct, pretend to play drums, sing along, clap, shout, cry, but BE INVOLVED and let the feelings flow.

ENDORPHINS the body’s natural pain killer will kick in if you’re laughing and enjoying yourself. Never mind what you look like. Be BRAVE.

As Pam said, everyone’s taste is different.

Pam explained that we should choose to listen to the tones we need at the time, and not what we think we ought to enjoy because we always did before we were ill. She suggested that we sing along with songs as it’s good for our breathing and our muscles, or we could conduct the music, or walk around to the beat. It’s all positively enabling and we will be exercising at the same time. Sometimes we may feel that we would like to share our love of a certain type of music with others, but there would also be times when we will not be up to hearing some of the things we like, so we must say no without feeling guilty. We need to understand what we need at the particular moment.

There is so much music to choose from, as Pam explained to us, ranging from songs, to instrumental music, and diverse cultural sounds. We should always be ready to try new things.

It was interesting to hear Pam say that there is a place for everything, and that this includes, tears, laughter, anger, sleep, relaxation, saying ‘ENOUGH’ of certain behaviours and moving forward, getting motivated to care for yourself, knowing you are making a choice that will help you feel better. She said that self-knowledge and change leads to greater self-confidence and that fun and living in the moment can lessen the pain of looking back and help you to look forward positively

MUSIC CAN BRING ALL THIS TO THE FRONT OF YOUR MIND AND YOUR AWARENESS – it can also release tension

Pam talked about memories that can arise whilst listening to certain music. It is good to listen to this music if we feel strong enough to cope with the memories, but if not, we should leave it until we feel stronger. She again emphasised that we should choose the music according to how we feel at that moment.

We need to ask ourselves:

• What sounds make me feel peaceful, happy, content, relaxed?

• What sounds make me feel stressed, anxious, worried and tense?

• What makes my feet tap without thinking?

• What makes me want to sing (even if I don’t do it)

• Where can I find more of the good stuff?

• How can I take control of limiting the times when I hear the negative sounds?

• What’s the smallest thing I can do right now that will make the biggest difference to how I feel later?

• What will I do at the first opportunity I feel strong enough?

• What will I do as soon as I get home?

Pam used snippets of sound ranging from Sophie Ellis-Bextor to Mozart to illustrate her points

It was really interesting as we listened to each piece to note the different emotions that they engendered. The first piece, especially, had some of us with hands over our ears as we ‘felt’ the ‘pain’ as we tensed up under the volume and intensity of it. The second piece, obviously chosen by Pam for that purpose, saw us visibly relax. Shoulders dropped from the tense position as we became soothed by this piece of music.

I cannot really do justice to Pam’s talk as you really had to be there and listen to each piece of music, to understand how we could each choose the right music for ourselves that would enable us to be ‘taken away’ from our pain as we listen. Pam is an excellent speaker and has a way of conveying her message that is both interesting and enjoyable. It was great fun as well as helping us to understand how music could help us to cope with pain.

WHY IT’S GOOD TO BE IN HOT WATER

By Karen Ford, Musculosketal Physiotherapist, Holy Cross Hospital

Most people smile at the thought of a hot bath, as it has comforting, restorative qualities. And it is these merits that make warm water hydrotherapy an excellent treatment for Fibromyalgia. Not only can it improve symptoms of persistent muscle or joint pain but it also has no nasty side effects.

Hydrotherapy can be defined as the special practice of physiotherapy using the medium of water, to help individuals attain specific physical and functional goals. It is used to treat several diseases and musculoskeletal problems including Fibromyalgia. You can think of it as getting physiotherapy treatment in a pool,

The therapeutic use of water is not new. It was first documented in 5th century BC by Hippocrates, who recommended bathing in natural spring water. Ancient civilisations such as the Romans developed communal spas throughout their empire, realising the benefits they provided for health and well being. These bathing areas were also central to civic and social life, allowing debate and networking in physically comfortable surroundings.

In Britain, the spa culture developed in the 18th and 19th centuries, its patrons being the ‘it’ crowd of the time. The rich and famous made a season of ‘taking the waters’, as a lavish way to cure their lifestyle ailments.

In more recent times hydrotherapy has moved circles from the fashionable to the credible. The medicinal use of warm water pools has been made accessible to all. Techniques, equipment and facilities have continued to modernise and improve. Scientific research has been able to show improvements in muscle strength, decreased pain, relaxation and improved quality of life for people with Fibromyalgia when treated with hydrotherapy.

So why does hydrotherapy work so well? It is partially due to the temperature of the water, which is set at 33 degrees to promote pain relief. Heat delivered to the body in this way dilates blood vessels and reduces muscle spasm. This sedative effect of treatment promotes physical and mental relaxation.

Rehabilitation in warm water is often recommended when symptoms are acute as it is more comfortable than exercising on land but yields the same results. This is not only because of the heat but also due to buoyancy. This means that the body is in part supported by the water. In waist deep water, only 50% of a person’s weight is actually being loaded onto their joints. Therefore the muscles can take a break from battling gravity and focus on some exercises just for them.

This is particularly important for people with Fibromyalgia. Pain can induce muscle spasm and over time this can develop into chronic tension. Muscles need to stretch and lengthen to function normally, but this type of tension means they spend too much time in a tight contracted position. Hydrotherapy works to relax these muscles and restore suppleness,

But hydrotherapy is more than just movement in hot water. Physiotherapists are trained specifically to assess patients with physical problems. They use their expert knowledge and experience to provide individual programmes for each patient, respecting that no two people with the same diagnosis will have the same needs. Exercise programmes are graded to ensure that progress is made every step of the way. Initially therapists offer one to one support to ensure patients are able to obtain optimal results from their programme by working together towards their goal. Some patients continue to use hydrotherapy long term, to help self-manage their Fibromyalgia at self directed pool sessions once familiar and confident with their programme, putting them in control of their symptoms.

Editor’s Note: The author Karen Ford is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist at the Award winning Physiotherapy Centre at Holy Cross Hospital, Haslemere, Surrey, which has a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool. The facility is open to hospital patients and out patients. Karen has devised warm water classes to help a variety of conditions. For more information: .uk: 01428 643311.

This article has been reproduced with the kind permission of Karen Ford, and also with the kind permission of Martin Westby from UK Fibromyalgia. It was first printed in the UK Fibromyalgia June FaMily magazine.

YOGA CLASSES IN ROCHESTER

(Information sent in by Jay)

Bridget Reader is now running Yoga classes for people with ME/CFS in the Rochester area.

"In these classes we will be using gentle yoga movements combined with breath work in a way specifically adapted for people with ME.

Although the classes are aimed initially at those with ME, people with other disorders

where chronic fatigue is a major part, such as Fibromyalgia, may also benefit. Mats will be provided, although you may wish to bring a blanket with you. Please wear comfortable clothing"

For details phone: 01634 843663 or email:

bridget@

KENT THYROID MEETING

Claire and I attended the Kent Thyroid meeting in Sevenoaks on 2 June to hear a talk by Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield on the treatment of Thyroid problems - which he believes is one of the causes of Fibro.  Unfortunately he was unable to attend as he was unwell.

But nonetheless the meeting was very worth while. Patricia Graham had stepped in at the last minute, from her own sick bed, to address the meeting. Patricia gave the history of the group, which is still fairly new but growing fast. She also explained that there are no reliable statistics on how many people are affected by thyroid problems, although some estimate it at over 6 million in England alone. Without the numbers it is difficult to get official support.

The group intends to fight for the rights of the thyroid sufferer, but by working with the medical profession to show them the error in their thinking rather than fighting them. They are already working closely with Specialists from various Kent Hospitals.

There was also a brief talk about the new Maidstone Branch of Kent Thyroid which is being set up at the moment, and which I intend to join.

There then followed a general discussion about thyroid diagnosis and treatment, with some personal histories - I found this very interesting as I could see how it related to Fibro. Many of the patients there had suffered a range of fibro-like symptoms for 10, 20 or more years before they were finally diagnosed with Thyroid problems, all the while being told that they did not have a thyroid problem as their test results were normal. One lady had even spent many years in a mental hospital, before her thyroid had been identified as the cause of her mental problems.

Clearly this is something that needs support. I recommend that everybody looks at the Kent Thyroid web site:



Roger Newton

AMERICAN REVIEW OF DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

FibroAction recently published on their Website, information regarding the American College of Rheumatologists (ACR) 2010 criteria for diagnosing Fibromyalgia. This criteria is only listed as provisional because it has to undergo considerable validation before it is accepted widely in America.

There is no suggestion in the article that the criteria might be adopted in the UK.

We are all familiar with the old criteria because that is how many of us were diagnosed. The new criteria starts from the same point in that it is pain all over. However it then gets into various scales on, a) Widespread Pain, b) symptom severity, or c) a combination of the two scales. It does however include some of the other symptoms of Fibromyalgia, as well as widespread pain.

One of the issues with the 2010 criteria is that it removes hyperalgesia (sensitivity to pain) from the diagnostic criteria. This could be an issue because widespread hyperalgesia is one symptom that often differentiates Fibromyalgia from other conditions causing widespread pain.

The validation process in America will commence during the next period of time.

The 2010 Diagnostic Criteria, whilst being more user-friendly to primary care physicians with little or no training in performing the tenderpoint examination, has the potential to lead to even more people being mis-diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

This is just a précis of the article, and the editor of this magazine is just ensuring that you are aware of the issues in different parts of the world for those with Fibromyalgia. For a better understanding of the 2010 criteria go to

VOLUNTEERING WHILST ON BENEFITS

This link gives advice on what to do about volunteering while on benefits and reinforces that you can do it without impacting on your benefits as long as you follow their procedures where applicable.



LIBRARY ADDITION

A book has been added to the Library called Women and Fibromyalgia by Barbara A Keddy. Barbara draws on her own experiences and also those of twenty other women living with the condition, to highlight the difficulties that those with Fibromyalgia suffer. The Library is available at all group meetings or by ringing the Librarian on 01634 261832 who may be able to deliver books or DVDs locally.

IBS DIET FROM MAIDSTONE & TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST

A member has very kindly sent in a copy of an IBS Diet leaflet given to her by Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust,

If you would like a copy of this, please send a stamped and addressed DL or A5 envelope to 16 Barberry Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME5 9TE.

PAM STEWART (CHAIR OF FMA UK) WALKING THE LONDON LOOP FOR

September Awareness Week 6th – 12th 2010

I have recently moved back to Whitton and on one of my Sunday walks noticed the London Loop symbol in Crane Park. I found the details on the website and gave myself the challenge of walking the whole of this interconnection of 150 miles of pathways on consecutive days to raise awareness of Fibromyalgia.

At present there are only 2 support groups in the Greater London area and it is hoped that by raising awareness with the London Loop Walk people can be put into contact with others in their area for support and understanding.

My London Loop Walk will start on 28th August and be completed on 11th September to coincide with the end of the UK Fibromyalgia Awareness week. I will be walking each day with venues for awareness sessions, where information about fibromyalgia will be available and people will be able to meet up with others who have fibromyalgia.

Anyone who wants to join for any of the walk is welcome. Volunteers for venues for the awareness raising would also be greatly appreciated. Details of the route to be walked on each day and awareness venues will be available on our website:

londonloop2010

I am planning to use my Freedom Pass to get to the starting points each day and for returning to “base” each evening. This means no travel expenses will be incurred and any sponsorship monies raised will go directly to FMA UK. This enables FMA UK to continue to produce information booklets and attend medical conferences so that both people with fibromyalgia and those treating them are better informed.

“I know I am likely to feel increasingly stiff, aching and exhausted as I complete this walk, but at least I know it will pass. People with Fibromyalgia feel like this without exerting themselves and get no respite. If by doing this I make people more aware of the condition and it means better treatment so that they do not have to suffer for years the way my husband had to it’s worth it.

If you can help in any way please contact Pam on pam.stewart@

To sponsor Pam go to:

pam-stewart

I would like to thank all groups for their support and help they give. We need to work together if we are going to make improvements in the way people with fibromyalgia are treated. If you feel there is anything the trustees should be trying to do that we are not covering already, please let us know and we’ll do our best.

Pam Stewart

COUNTRY LIFESTYLES

Country Lifestyles is a company who specialise in mobility products. In order to maintain a high standard they restrict their operation to Kent and south-east London but they are always willing to give advice regardless of your location.

Country Lifestyles Ltd, 1 Harrow Cottage,

Horseshoe Lane, Langley Kent ME17 1TD

Tel: 01622 863300

Email: countrylifestyles@

CHARTERWOOD MOBILITY SHOP

Charterwood Mobility has moved from its previous shop at Newnham Court (Nottcutts) to Unit 31 at Newnham Court, next to Pennies Day Nursery. Tel: 01622 631511

S A S MOBILITY SERVICES

S A S Mobility Services are a small family run company that specialises in mobility needs. They offer servicing and repairs on all mobility equipment inc. stair lifts, scooters, wheelchairs, rise and recline chairs, bath lifts etc. They give no obligation stair lift surveys. Sales of all Mobility Equipment.

Out of hour emergency call out service 5pm - 8:30pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 8:30pm Saturday and Sunday inc. bank holidays.

No obligation demonstrations at a location of your choice. They also offer removals of any unwanted stair lifts free of charge.

Contact: S A S Mobility Services 8 Twydall Green, Gillingham, Kent ME8 6JY

HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

By Marion Dinwoodie, Chief Executive, NHS Medway

(Editor’s Note: The first two paragraphs have been merged for this newsletter)

I thought it was important to highlight some of the information about the new Government’s plans and priorities for the NHS, so that we can all be clear about the bigger picture, and the reasons behind changes that we will be implementing over coming months and years.

As we await the NHS White Paper, I also wanted to set out a few thoughts about how we, in Medway, measure up against some of the main priorities as indicated so far.

You will be aware that the Government is increasing the emphasis on a GP-led NHS, and looking towards outcomes for patients rather than performance against targets as the way of measuring care.

In Medway, practice-based commissioning is becoming increasingly confident and robust, and we look forward to discussing with our primary care colleagues how it can move forward faster still, once we know from the White Paper exactly what is expected next.

In the meantime, the focus on outcomes chimes well with the requirement on providers in Medway to monitor and evaluate patient experience and use lessons learned as a way of driving continuing improvement. This will clearly need to be stepped up but solid foundations are already in place.

Secondly, the Government wants separation of the providing and commissioning arms of primary care trusts to be completed by April 2011. Our plans are well-advanced and we are confident that we are on track to meet the deadline.

Thirdly, the Government set out requirements for greater management cost savings by primary care trusts than planned by the previous administration. However, we had already, in our Strategic Commissioning Plan, specified savings on our management costs by April 2014 which match the requirements in the revised Operating Framework – so no additional savings are required, beyond those we had already planned.

Fourthly, the Government is seeking much closer working between health and social care, particularly in the re-ablement and discharge services which are particularly important for increasing people’s independence. This too is underway in Medway. Our emphasis locally on working together – such as Delivering Health in Medway Together – is well-developed and, I believe, will enable faster, transformational change than has been possible in the past.

These are times of change in the NHS and the country more widely. Many people will be feeling uncertain about the future but I would like to give you the assurance that in Medway many of the mechanisms are already in place that will enable the local NHS to deliver the vision of the new Government for healthcare.

WORK, WELFARE BENEFITS & M.E. – IS ANYONE LISTENING?

This is the subject of a conference run by Action for M.E. to enable people with M.E. to discuss with the Department of Work and Pensions their experiences of the welfare support system and their employment problems.

The event is open to people with M.E. and their carers, together with the health and other care professionals who support them, plus welfare support policy makers.

Date: 12.15 to 4.45pm on Saturday 25th September

Venue: Allen & Overy, One Bishop’s Square, London E1 6AO

This event is free thanks to the generosity of the Big Lottery Fund

Further information: contact Sara Brooks on 0117 927 9551

or email:sara.brooks@.uk

NHS HEALTH CHECK

More than 2000 people in Medway have now had their NHS Health Check, and a further 5,500 have been invited in, following launch of the new service earlier this year. The NHS Health Check assesses the individual risk for people aged between 40 and 74 of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and kidney disease. People are being invited in by their practice in a phased way, linked to their birthdate. The check will be offered to all eligible patients every five years and further information is available at:

medwaypct.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck.

Contact:

Kerri-Anne.Collins@medwaypct.nhs.uk  

               Simon.truett@medwaypct.nhs.uk

MEDWAY HEALTH DEBATE

NHS Medway is carrying out an intensive programme of engagement with the public over the summer to further develop our understanding of local people’s views of their health service and of their priorities for healthcare.

On October 26, there will be a public event at the Corn Exchange, Rochester, to feedback actions both taken and planned as a result of what people have told us. Anyone who would like to join the event or would like to invite a speaker from NHS Medway to attend a meeting they are organising, is invited to contact itsyournhsmedway@

Anyone who would like to participate in the Medway Health Debate online is invited to fill in the survey at:

medwayhealthdebate

Contact: Natalie.yost@medwaypct.nhs.uk

BALMORAL GARDENS

The new healthy living centre at Balmoral Gardens, Gillingham is due to open on 2 August. It will house three GP practices: the Kingsley House branch surgery of St Werburgh Medical Practice, Dr Rahman’s practice from Balmoral Road, and the St Barnabas House practice from Duncan Road. There will be large numbers of clinics and a seven-day-a week pharmacy, run by Paydens, is due to open in September. Work on landscaping the grounds is expected to start in August and be completed by the end of the year.

Contact: jill.norton@medwaypct.nhs.uk

SUMMARY CARE RECORDS

The Government is conducting a review of current processes to ensure that both the information that patients receive about summary care records, and the process by which they opt out, are as clear and simple as possible. It is also reviewing the content of the record (a summary of information held in patients’ GP records which is made available in a secure way to other parts of the NHS to allow patients to be offered faster, safer, more effective care) and plans to agree with key stakeholders what should be added to the record and over what timescale. There are now 1.6 million records in existence across the country, including 125,000 in Medway. Out of hours services where the summary care record is used include MedOCC, the local service run by Medway Community Healthcare.

Contact: colin.waldron@medwaypct.nhs.uk

FREE EXERCISE SESSIONS

Exercise classes for beginners on Thursday evenings starting 19 August for four weeks 7-8pm or 8-9pm at Medway Park, Gillingham.

For more information please contact getactive@.uk or call 01634 338761.

Brought to you as part of the Feeling Good, Looking Good, Living Good adult education courses delivered by the WEA. For information on similar up and coming adult health and wellbeing courses please contact Dee James on dee.james.tutor@ or 01634 298600.

ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR FIBROMYALGIA

There is an All Party Parliamentary Group for Fibromyalgia and, as we have all new MPs, they need to be asked to join. It would be really helpful if as many people as possible would write to their MPs asking them to join. They need to speak to Rosie Cooper MP who is the Chair of the APPG.

DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE ANOMILIES

There has been a report that a soldier who lost a leg in Afghanistan had his disability benefit taken away despite only being able to walk a few hundred metres with the help of a prosthetic limb. As this was Disability Living Allowance, he also lost his specially adapted car. He managed to walk 400 metres just by determination. He felt this happened because he was honest enough to admit to this.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Issues such as this one are why we are making changes to the way we assess eligibility to DLA. We want to

introduce a new, more objective assessment to ensure the system is fairer and targets those most in need.

"We can't talk about individual cases, but if someone feels that a decision is wrong they can get in touch with us and we will look at again. Disability Living Allowance isn't paid based on the condition someone has, but on the extra costs they may have because of their specific needs or difficulties."

PERSONAL STORIES

It is good to see members sharing their personal stories, and I would like to encourage more of you to send in your own stories. It is always good for members to read about others and particularly if it is about a positive experience. You never know when something you have felt, or tried, that has helped you, will help someone else. Don’t be discouraged if you have difficulty putting things into words, just give the bare bones and I will do the rest.

CAR WINDOW STICKERS

We sell Awareness Car Window Stickers. Send an SAE and £1 for each one to 16 Barberry Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME5 9TE, or buy one at the meeting.

NEWSLETTER ITEMS

Items for inclusion in this newsletter are very welcome, but please note that the newsletter is about Fibromyalgia and related information, for those with Fibromyalgia, and their supporters. It would be helpful, if you are able, if you can send it via email.

The inclusion of articles and features in this newsletter does not necessarily infer endorsement by the group/Association. Any advice or recommendation of a medical nature, given in this newsletter, should always be discussed with a medical professional. The group/Association cannot be held responsible for omission and /or errors.

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NEWSLETTER

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