Letter from the Chairman Information Board Holiday Experiences Charity Golf Club day Thankyou for the Donations AGM Meeting ICE ( In Case Of Emergency)
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Let me introduce myself as the new Chairman of the LKPA, my name is Tony Perry and I am a Haemodialysis patient at the Lincoln renal unit.
As the new chairman I would like to thank the outgoing team of Chairman Les Curtis, Secretary Linda Pickering and Treasurer Audrey Massam and Carol Tasker and the members of the committee for all the good work they did in furthering the aims of the LKPA and in helping the patients and their relatives.
The new team of myself and Mick Walker as Secretary and Paul Rhodes as Treasurer with the members of the committee will carry on with the work of the LKPA in looking after the needs and their dependants. We are looking to strengthen the relationship between staff and Patients and we are meeting with the Unit Managers to see how we can do this and to find out how we can help them. In addition the meeting the Managers we are, with agreement of the Managers going to visit the units and ask you as patients what you would like from the LKPA.
So that we can help ,we need money, so fund raising is a prime objective and we shall be asking you if you can help towards that objective. Helping at fund raising events, coming up with ideas for Fund raising etc.. In addition to all that, we are aiming to contact those who dialyse at home. The home care team in Lincoln is well established and we will be discussing this with them how we can achieve this and provide help to the home dialysers and their dependants.
We have set ourselves a busy schedule, one which we look forward to achieving, so please help us to help you and yours Christmas is fast approaching, may I on behalf of myself and the team Wish you and your families a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year
Tony Perry Lincs KPA
Holiday Experiences - by Tony Perry Before becoming a renal patient, holidays were a part of life, they had to be planned and you could choose where you went to and when you took holiday, being a renal patient you can still take holidays but it is not so easy, mainly because of the limitations of in dialysis facilities. This means that you may not be able to holiday where you wish or when you may take your holiday. However it is essential that if your doctors agree that you can then take a holiday, because it is important to carry on with life as ordinarily as possible. Remember what was said when you attend information days, "dialyse to live".
I became a renal patient on haemodialysis in July 2008, because of various medical circumstances my wife and myself were not able to take a holiday for more than year before then, that being the case we resolved that in 2009 we would take as many holidays that were possible.
When you attend your dialysis unit, you tend to develop a sense of security, you get to know the staff, appreciate the excellent care they give you and when you think of going on holiday, you wonder if the care will be as good and caring as you receive at your own unit. My experiences have been that you are looked after very well.
Before taking a holiday, you need to find out where you can dialyse. Fellow patients who have taken holidays can help with this and talk to Alison is a mine of information on holiday on holidays she is the coordinator for the Unit.
We chose three places. The Lake and Dialysis in Cockermouth in the Lake District. The Easingwold Dialysis unit in North Yorkshire and The Glan Clwyd unit in Bodelwyddan near to Rhyl in North Wales. Our first holiday in June was in the Lake District and the Lakeland unit is a private unit owned by Kevin and Karen Edgar. Kevin looks after the administration and Karen a fully trained renal nurse looks after your dialysis needs. I went for my first session and received a very warm welcome. The unit is very well maintained, there are three chairs and they use Fresenius machines. There are individual TVs and a comprehensive DVD library for your entertainment. Tea and biscuits or toast are offered for refreshments. The treatment is excellent and you are made to feel very welcome. a local doctor is on call if needed. Our second holiday in July was to North Yorkshire and I dialysed at Easingwold unit. The unit is an NHS unit with 12 chairs and individual TVs. The sister in charge is Tracy and my nurse was Jane. Again the reception was very welcoming and you were made to feel comfortable. They pride themselves on the service they give and when you are given an appointment time that is the time that you go on dialysis. This is important when on holiday, in addition to TV they on occasions have painting classes and there are paintings done by patients on the walls, they also have therapy sessions and are intending to install computer links Refreshments are toast or biscuits and tea or coffee. The unit is nurse led and renal doctors are on call at the main renal unit in York. Our third holiday was to North Wales and I dialysed at the Glan Clwyd unit in Bodelwyydan near to Rhyl. It is an NHS unit attached to the main hospital. As with the other two units the reception was very warm and welcoming. The coordinator is Neris who is a staff nurse and she dialysed me. The care you receive is again excellent and there is a renal consultant for the unit. The refreshments are their speciality. For lunch you are offered Sandwiches and a "pud" or a salad or a hot meal and a "pud".The locals all have their lunch on the unit. You are put onto dialysis and the, bring your lunch on a tray and offer help if needed. Again you are given an appointment time and that is the time that you go onto dialysis. It is excellent unit.
Things to remember when considering going on holiday. · Find out where dialysis is available. Alison in the office will help with this and other patients. · When you have chosen ring the unit early, say late December or early January, tell your home unit and they will obtain approval and make arrangements, take out insurance for your holiday. Again Alison will help with this also the secretary of the LKPA. · We self cater, finding it easier because you are more flexible for dialysis times and controlling your diet.
My experiences of holiday dialysis have been very good and any qualms that I had were soon dispelled.
Charity Golf Club The charity golf day for the LKPA was held at the Carholme Golf Club onSaturday 12th September 2009. The day was sunny and warm, ideal for golf, 117 golfers from various clubs in the county played in teams of three and played a "stableford waltz". The first team teed off at 08.10am and the last at 14.30pm so there was a full day's golf. The players were treated to refreshments of savouries and cakes with hot and cold drinks halfway through their round. Mick walker our secretary was in attendance throughout and says he now knows more about golf than he did before! He had a tour of the golf course and met and talked to some of the players and the people who helped on the day.
There were display boards in the club house in the clubhouse relating to the work of the LKPA and of the unit. There was a raffle and £520 was collected, with £77 of that being collected on the Lincoln unit, it was pleasing to see that some patients won raffle prizes. An auction was also held for complimentary rounds of golf at Blankney Golf Club and South Kyme Golf Club, plus a putter donated by the Karsten Ping Club Manufacturers, the auction raised £200. Presentation of prizes to the winners was in the evening and as was well attended by those who played. Carol Tasker the assistant treasurer for LKPA very kindly agreed to present the prizes which were Marks & Spencer vouchers with a bottle of wine. Carol enjoyed the evening, meeting the people who played and those who helped on the day. She said that she could be interested in playing golf, so do we have a competitor next year?
The day raised £1,585 which was presented to Carol and in addition the Lady Captain of Carholme Golf Club, Mrs Clare Welfare nominated the LKPA as her charity and presented a cheque for £300 to Carol.
Another Charity Golf day will be held next year and the date of 11th September 2010 has been agreed with the Carholme Golf Club. Written by Tony Perry (Ps try not to head butt a golf ball it might hurt)
World Kidney Day- 11th March 2010 It's to make people aware of kidney disease. The website is www.worldkidneyday.org
Dear Lincs-Kpa member, We need you to make people aware of kidney disease, so we want ideas and help to organise stands, in supermarkets, pharmacists, and even town centres. Please get in touch if you can help.
Holiday Information -For Haemodialysis Patients
Holiday and Dialysis, destinations in Spain, Czech Ruplic, Italy,Greece, Tunisia, France, Turkey, uk The UK Clinic is in London-Clinic Lewisham- Availability all year round they Dialyse 3 shifts Monday to Saturday. Their details are - website www.dialysis-travel.com Tel No. 08000124023
National Kidney Federation- The survey zone on the NKF website has several surveys they want kidney patients to fill in, or carers. When a survey gets filled and sent electronically the NKF get £1.00 for each survey from the industry partners, the surveys are:
1 Dialysis patient choices. 2 Post -Kidney- Transplant Medication 3 The NKF - it's future directions survey 4 Home Haemodialysis 5 ANAEMIA
The NKF website is www.kidney.org.uk - click on the survey zone on the left hand side of the page
Recycling Used Printer Ink Cartridges I've got the envelopes for the empty ink cartridges, there's a box in the renal unit at Lincoln hospital and I'm looking for different places around Lincolnshire to put boxes for recycling ink cartridges if anyone wants to put a box or envelopes please let me now and I will let you have them.
National Kidney Care Audit Patient Transport Survey Report You can send of for this report from NHS information Centre for health and social care 1 Trevelyan Square, Boar Lane, Leeds, LSI 6AE Tele no 08453006016 E-mail enquiries@ic,nhs.uk Or you can see the report on the website www.iview.ic.nhs.uk (yo uhave to sign in toget on to the transport survey site)
WEBSITES YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT www.dialysisoptions.org - Dialysis Options invites kidney patients, carers, pre-dialysis, and anyone with an interest in kidney disease to visit this site, there's a lot of information you might want to know. If anyone wants the info pack sent to them just give the secretary a phone his number is on the back page of the newsletter
Future Committee Meetings of the Lincs-KPA - Tuesday, 12th January 2010 Please come along and support what we do.
In Memoriam Wayne Conway
Thankyou Thanks to the following for their generous donations
South Park News (June/ July) £10.00 Cranwell Shop £20.53 Golf day £1,800 Sleaford Charity Market £65 Bolingbroke Castle Lodge of Freemasons £600
AGM - 18th October 09 The Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association AGM was held the 18th October 09 it was held in the Lincoln County Hospital it started at 2.30pm and started of with a minutes silence for members and friends of the Lincs - KPA that's no longer with us.
The Chairman did his report on what's happened over the year he's been in office and the future of the Lincs-KPA, Les Curtis has resigned as Chairman after been chairman for two years, Les and Joyce will still be doing the info days for us which they do an excellent job of giving information to pre-dialysis patients a big thank-you from the Lincs -KPA for the work they have done, then the treasurers gave their report on how well the Lincs- KPA's doing. Carol thanked Alan and Carol Ross for going and standing on the charity markets doing the tombola and all the other things they do, a big than-kyou to everybody who has donated to Lincs - KPA, the treasurer and the assistant treasurer resigned there job as Treasurer/ Assistant Treasurer.
The Lincs-KPA would like to thank Audrey Massam and Carol Tasker for the work they have done for the Lincs-KPA Over the years.
As you all know Linda Pickering retired as secretary she's moved to East Yorkshire in September, so I took over as Secretary (Mick Walker) till the AGM . I gave a brief report on what I had done since I took over I’ve been busy with helping patients with a variety of things such as (benefits information, information on kidney disease) signing members, talking to patients, I would like thank everyone for there cooperation over the last few months, then I resigned as secretary,
Then we had a report from the Advocacy officer Denis Cawdron for the National Kidney Federation he was saying what the NKF was doing for kidney patients as a whole (it's going towards self care he mentioned the patient transport survey, and the future for kidney patients ). Thank-you to Denis for attending the Lincs KPA AGM.
We had a report from Martin Gerrish the Lincoln Unit manager, he told us how many kidney patients was dialysing in Lincolnshire renal units, he thanked the out going Chairman and the Committee for all the hard work the Lincs-KPA do for Lincolnshire patients, and he handed over to Gill Simpson who is one of the sisters of the home care team ( community team) she told the AGM about what the home care team did in Lincoln and what clinics they do (pre-dialysis CAPD/APD and transplant clinics). A big thank-you for all the renal staff for the work they do.
The Election of the officers Chairman. Secretary, Treasurer so the standing down chairman( Les Curtis) asked anyone that was standing for the posts to stand there was Tony Perry for Chairman and Mick Walker for Secretary and Paul Rhodes as Treasurer we got voted on as the executive committee of the Lincs-KPA and all the other committee members that was there, and welcome to Claire young and Margaret Young for coming to the AGM .
The Executive Committee for 2010 Chairman: Tony Perry Secretary: Mick Walker Treasurer : Paul Rhodes
If you want any information from the AGM please ask
ICE (In Case of Emergency) We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in the memory. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill the people attending us (ambulance service) would have our have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?
Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.
Statement by the East Midlands Ambulance Service Ice could save your life, people involved in medical emergenciescould be helped more quickly by using a simple tip to identify and contact. ICE stands for In Case Emergency and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) encourages people to store easily accessible contact numbers in their mobiles phone under the name ICE. The EMAS Communications Manager said "ICE" is extremely useful to all emergency services because it helps us contact the patients next of kin in an emergency. We can tell the ice contact where we are taking the patient and ask if they have a medical condition or are taking any medication. This enables us to give emergency treatment which won't conflict with their current medication or condition. It is important to ask your nominated person if they are happy been your ICE contact and to make sure they are aware if you have any medical condition.
I urge people to add ICE contacts to their mobile address book, it's an easy process and could help save your life, just type ICE followed by the name of your nominated and save their number. More contacts can be stored under ICE 1. ICE 2 etc.
Even if you haven't got a mobile phone you can carry a card round with you with the contact names on it, the Secretary of the Lincs - KPA can supply them.
Autumn 2009
What's in the newsletter Linda's going to pastures new New Secretary info Golf Day- Carholme charity day Poem for Graham by Claire Young Word search - Health dialysis Lincoln Renal Community team welcomes new Member Information from the NKF
Goodbye It is with great sadness that I am writing this last piece for the newsletter. My husband and I have re-located to East Yorkshire and in doing so we are no longer members of this fantastic KPA. I am sure I am leaving you in good hands and the good work will continue. Thank you all for your help and friendship over the last 12 years. Linda Pickering
Dear Editor I would like to thank Linda and Les for there very hard work they have done over the last 12 years for the Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association, I think I speak for everyone who knows Linda and Les they will be missed, A lot of lines patients wouldn't have had the good advice about kidney disease if it wasn't for Linda and Les A Big Thank-you From The Doctors, Nurses at the units, Pre-dialysis Patients,Capd/Apd Haemodialysis patients, Transplants, and Committee Members We all wish you happiness in the new home.
Please come and Support the Lincs - KPA It Benefits You the Patients of Lincolnshire
AGM INVITE
The Lincs- KPA committee has the pleasure in inviting you to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Association, to be held on Sunday 18th October 2009. The event will take place in the Lecture Theatre 1 (educational centre, level 1, Lincoln County Hospital, starting at 2.30pm. For those who don't know there way round go to the main reception, and there is signs to where the Lecture Theatre is.
Agenda's will be available at the Meeting, or can be pre-ordered by the telephoning the current secretary. Everybody is welcome and we urge you to attend, if at all possible can please let us know what your views are in the way the Association has conducted it's business and present your views over the last 12 months and what you see as the way forward, Copies of the Committees Annual Accounts for the 2008/2009 will be available on the day. If you do wish to attend it is important for catering purposes, for you to inform us one week prior to the meeting,
The elected members of the Lincs-KPA committee are the Trustees of the Association and as such are bound by Charitylaw. The Charity Commission requires those standing for election to the Committee to demonstrate an understanding of the general role and responsibilities of Charity Trustees, Knowledge of the objects of the charity to which they work seek election, and be able to indicate what they can offer to the charity, to assist in it achieving it's objectives.
The Lincs-KPA always needs committee members and people willing to take up the challenge of serving as an officer of the Association ( Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer,) Are You the sort of person who would like to serve on the Committee? If so please drop us a line or Telephone us for an informal chat.
Lincoln renal community team welcomes a new team member. As many of you are aware, the Lincoln Renal Community team are based on the renal unit at Lincoln. Our main role is the care of patients and family pre dialysis and the care of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. We also work closely with our colleagues in Leicester and on Burton ward at Lincoln supporting in patients on peritoneal dialysis. July 2009 has seen Sister Liz Barnard join the renal community team.Some of you may already know Liz, who has worked for 6 years as deputy Sister on the renal unit, Liz has joined the team to work with Gill Simpson as a job share partner.
Team structure Gill Simpson Sister Liz Barnard Sister Julie Newton Deputy Sister Jane Meadows Senior staff nurse
Since the development of the team in November 2007, we offer local services as follows: CAPD and APD training in Lincoln and within patient's home environment. PD clinics in Lincoln and Boston. Patient information days in Lincoln and Boston. Development of the transplant follow-up clinics in Lincoln.
How to contact the renal community team The renal community team work 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. The PD training room direct dial number is: - 01522 572321 The renal unit direct dial number is 01522 573561
Please note if no one is available to take your call please leave a message, we will return your call as soon as is possible. However if your call is of an urgent nature and is outside the working hours of 8-5pm. Please contact ward 10 Leicester general hospital on 0116 2588082.
The new secretary I would just like to introduce myself as the new secretary Mick (Walker)
I dialysed at the Lincoln unit for 4yrs 8 months, and one day I got the call to have a transplant (one of the very lucky ones to have a transplant, wish I could wave a magic wand so everybody gets a transplant unfortunately it doesn't work like that)
I went on the committee to give something back to the people that have helped me to get going again, ie the doctors and nurses in Lincoln and Leicester Hospitals.
So that's a bit about me. My contact details are as follows:-
Tel no. 01427 880125 E-mail: MMICKWALKER@Aol.com or secretary@lincs-kpa.org
I would love to hear from anyone with there stories of kidney disease for the newsletter, and any ideas or any handy hints for kidney,
CHARITY OPEN GOLF DAY AT CARHOLME GOLF CLUB LINCOLN SATURDAY 12™ SEPTEMBER ANY COMBINATION TEAMS OF 3 PRIZES FOR GENTS, LADIES AND MIXED TEAMS ENTRY FEE £36 per team ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE
General Information from the NHS
Swine Flu update This is the latest information from the NHS East Midlands,!! is important to highlight that in majority of cases the swine Flu virus has been mild and therefore has often required nothing more than over the counter remedies, plenty of fluids,rest and reassurance.
For people Feeling unwell, the advice is to:
1 Visit the pandemic Flu website for information, FAQs and a symptom checker-www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu 2 Ring the National Swine Flu Information Line on 08001513513 for further information 3 Call the National Pandemic Flu Service Treatment Line on 08001513100 to see if you need treatment (Sam-midnight daily) 4 Contact your GP over the phone for pregnant women, children under 1 year old and those with serious underlying health conditions
It's is also important to continue to remind people of the Growing importance of hand washing and respiratory hygiene in reducing the risk of spreading viruses.
The advice is simple: CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.
There are simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent catching colds and flu based on good respiratory and hygiene, always use a tissue to catch your sneezes , throw away used tissues where germs can linger And regularly wash your hands.
This was kindly supplied by Martin Gerrish Lincoln Renal Unit Matron
Future Meetings of the Lincs-KPA 15th September 09 AGM- 18th October 09
Come along to the Meetings
Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association Annual General Meeting Sunday 18th October 2009 at 2.30pm at Lincoln County Hospital, Lecture Theatre 1, in the Education Centre Level 1. Please Attend The AGM This is Your Association Thank you
Recyling Used Printer Ink Cartridges Help the National Kidney Federation and the Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association raise some money by recycling old used printer ink cartridges, collection points are to be arranged as soon as we get the box's, if you ring the secretary of the Lincs- kpa he will tell you where the collection points are, or do you know where we could have a collection point? My contact details are tel: 01427 880125 Email: mmickwalker@aol.com
Thanks to the following for their generous donations Market Rasen Fishing Club £85 Lincoln Renal Unit Cake Sale £48 South Park News £10 Cranwell Village Store £21.22 Fred & June Caudwell £30
A Poem for Graham Two hands are now forever entwined, time no longer has bounds, a couple standing close together, time has frozen around, together forever always now they'll be, husband and wife in harmony, be as one together again, she grasped his hand through his pain sunshine will always be theirs now, never ending eternity, for that is where you are now Graham, at peace now you both shall be. By claire young
I wanted to write a verse for Graham because when my mother started dialysis back in 2006 he was the first patient on her shift that she connected with. He was a very nice man, kind and funny man and I thought a lot of him. From Claire Young
This Information comes from the National Kidney Federation The recent cases in the UK, patients are being offered ADVAGRAF instead of PROGRAF.or vice versa in era in error by GP's and pharacists, high lights the very real danger patients face if they accept a change to their medication made by anyone other than the Transplant Surgeon or Consultant Nephrologists. These days drugs are very comlex, and even though one make of drug appears to contain the same or a similar drug to another (in the given sample the drug is tacrolimus) the formulations can be very different and very harmful if taken by mistake.
The lesson is clear, if the drug you are being prescribed or handed is not identical to the dug you are used to taking DON'T TAKE IT without getting advice from your own renal consultant, this applies even if the person is your GP, Chemist, Nurse or another physician, This information has been written by the NKF and not the Lincs-KPA
Lets show them Come Dancing people what we can do. DISCO TIME Help raise money for the Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association Saturday, 17th October 2OO9 At the Long Sutton Conservative Club 8:OOpm - 12:OOpm
Disco is 8O's themed but fancy dress is Optional.... Ticket Prices Children (5-15 years old) £3.00 Adults £6.00 (Children under 5 can come for free)
Also Raffle For tickets call : O14O6 365194 And Full Buffet or O1406 365486
Calling all Lincs-KPA members I know it's far to early about thinking about Christmas but I want some ideas of what we could do for Christmas. If you have got any suggestion get in touch with me - contact details are secretary@lincs-kpa or telephone Mick on phone no 01427 880125.
Contact Details The National Kidney Federation for information and advice 0845 601 02 09 "Calls Charged at Local Rates www.kidney.org.uk
Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association for information and advice. (01427 880125) www.Lincs-KPA.org Chairman: Leslie Curtis (01400) 262004 chairman@lincs-kpa.org Secretary: Mick Walker (01427) 880125 secretary@lincs-kpa.org Treasurer: Audrey Denby (01522) 883164 admin@lincs-kpa.org
Lincs-KPA Office Hideaway Fingle Street North Leverton Retford DN220AE Summer 2009
Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association
Registered Charity No 1096552
Good Citizen Award I would like to take this opportunity to thank Martin Gerrish and the team at Lincoln Renal Unit for nominating me for the Good Citizen Award, which took place on May 6th in the Council Chamber of the Lincolnshire County Council. Just to be nominated was great but to actually be chosen as the runner up was amazing. Supporting renal patients has become a big part of my life, but of course I couldn't do this alone, my family have been tremendous over the last 12 years, and we have been lucky in the fact that we have always seemed to come up with new committee members when most needed. I have enjoyed my time on the committee over the last few years and have found volunteering to be a very satisfying thing to do. However, combining it with a full time job can be very tiring and I am not getting any younger so I really would urge everyone out there to think about coming and joining us on the Lincs KPA committee, none of us will be around for ever. Linda Pickering Secretary
Zoff A patient contacted us with a tip for the removal of sticky adhesive tape marks Zoff is a universal adhesive remover ideal for the painless removal of adhesive tape, dressings and acrylics it is easy to use. Ask your pharmacist for Zoff.
Do you have a tip you would like to share?
In this issue. My Sisters Gift, by Wendy Denny 'A poem entitled for Ann' by Claire Young NKF Conference and new YPG chairman
My Sister and I My name is Wendy and I am 54 years of age. I was diagnosed with CKD in July 04 and one year later I was on dialysis. I did quite well on CAPD for just over 3 years but then I started to deteriorate, the CAPD was not working as well and this meant I would have to go on Haemo. This would mean more hospital visits, it didn't appeal to me but if that's what it took to keep me alive then I would of done it.
My sister, 43 year old Paula, would visit me at least once a week and knew I was getting worse not better, not knowing what she could do to make things better for me, she made the decision to get herself fit and healthy, which I thought was because she had put on a few pounds after the Christmas festivities. Then in July 08 she told me that it wasn't because she was over-weight but because she couldn't take any more of what she was seeing me go through. We had lost our dad to CKD and our mum to CKD due to diabetes, she wasn't going to loose her only sister too, she had decided to see if she could be a suitable donor.
We contacted Gill, my home care nurse, who told us we needed to contact the Transplant team at Leicester General. We were put in touch with Rosemary Elwell from the live donor kidney transplant unit and she made an appointment for us both to see herself along with Proff Nicholson. The meeting took place on 22nd Sept 08.Paula had to go back over the next 4 months many times for blood tests, MRI scans more blood tests. Paula said the tests weren't too bad but very thorough, after all they had to make sure everything was going to be alright for both of us. Paula was going to loose a healthy kidney. We waited for what seemed like a lifetime and finally in December we heard from Adele, one of the transplant coordinator team, she told us Paula was a suitable donor with 96% of her kidney function. They hoped to go ahead with the transplant after the New Year, so we waited for the letter to say when the big day would be.
Finally the letter arrived, the operation would go ahead on Thursday 19th Feb. We were both admitted to ward 17 on the day before. The next morning Paula was taken down to the operating theatre at 8.30am. She was brought back to the ward at 1.15pm and whilst she was recovering I was taken to the theatre. After the 41/2 hour operation I arrived back on the ward with my new kidney already showing signs of things working as they should. Proff Nicholson had already been up to the ward to tell everyone that everything had been a success and that I would be back soon. Paula and I were kept in different bays on the same ward, and that was harder than the operation. Not being able to see each others progress, but that was helped by all the staff and doctors who were absolutely fantastic, they couldn't do enough for the both of us, always there for us letting us both know how the other one was doing, and making our stay in hospital as comfortable as possible.
If we had gone private I don't think we would have been looked after any better, we can't thank the Doctors and nurses enough.
On the Friday morning they got us both out of bed but we were only allowed to sit in the chair. On the Saturday morning they got me up and took me through to Paula in the next bay, I was anxious to see Paula as I hadn't seen her since before the operation, but when I turned the comer to her bay she started laughing at me because they had got me walking all that way so soon. (Only 8 meters but it felt like a mile) I did get my own back on Paula telling her not to laugh too loud because it was her turn next, she would be walking me back to my bed. We talked for about half an hour, about what we felt and how things had gone and then it was Paula's turn to walk me back to my bed. It is painful but it is the best thing to get moving around as soon as possible, it helps the recovery process.
Paula's recovery was so quick that she was allowed to go home on the Monday just 5 days after the operation and I followed her 2 days later.
We are both recovering very well, things have improved so much for me thanks to my sisters courage. It has been over three months now since my operation and everything is still looking good. Before the operation I only had 4% of my kidney function, lifeless and not eating very well at all. Now I have 51% of my kidney function, full of life and eating very well. This is all due to the Live Donor scheme which is not that widely known about, and of course my sisters courage going through all those tests, which she says were not half as bad as she imagined they would be.
People just assume that kidneys are donated from people who have sadly passed away, either naturally or from a fatal accident, but even with all the people who have passed away and have consented to donate their kidneys, this is still not enough to help all the people that are in need of this vital organ. Paula and I would like to urge any family member, brother, sister, husband, wife even a friend to think about donating. The recovery time is a lot quicker for kidneys donated from a live donor, compared to one that is donated from a deceased donor. You never know you could be the person to give someone another chance of life just like Paula has for me. I am very grateful to Paula for doing this for me and we both hope that if this article makes just one person think about donating a kidney then that would be absolutely fantastic. I would also like to let people know that any one can be a donor, they don't have to be related, you just have to care enough.
Don't forget National Transplant Week 5th-12th July
If you would like to see your story in print please contact Secretary Lincs KPA, details on back page
National Kidney Federation Annual Patients' Conference Innovations and Motivations As you will have seen in your latest copy of Kidneylife from the NKF, the Conference will take place on Saturday October 10th 2009 at the Hilton Hotel Blackpool. The Committee of the Lincs KPA has a small amount of money set aside to assist any member wishing to attend the Conference. There are however conditions, the Lincs KPA will only consider assisting at the early bird rate for the special package. This includes the Saturday Conference fees, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, evening dinner, B&B. Or the Saturday only deal which includes the Conference fee, morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon tea. The early bird rate must be booked before 8th August. Regrettably no assistance for travel is available, nor is assistance for the Friday evening buffet or Friday B&B. The closing date for this offer by the Lincs KPA is July 31st. No application will be considered after this date.
NKF recruits local girl Jenny Wing has been appointed Head of Fund Raising at the Worksop Office of the NKF Jenny previously worked in Lincoln at St Barnabas Hospice.
Jenny says; "I'd like to introduce myself as the new Head of Fundraising for the National Kidney Federation. Kidney failure related charities are close to my heart, having experienced kidney failure in my immediate family, (Jenny's father has been transplanted over 25 years) I understand the effect it can have not only on the patient, but also those who care for them. It was with this in mind, and my previous fundraising experience, that I chose to take on this role. Fundraising in this economic climate is challenging, however, demand for the Helpline and Advocacy Service is increasing due to an increase in the number of Established Renal Failure patients and it is therefore essential that the NKF continue to provide these vital support services. The NKF needs to raise approximately £1/2 million to continue these services and I'm hoping that by working with Linda and the Lincolnshire KPA, we can raise vital funds to continue these services and for Lincolnshire KPA to continue supporting their patients. If anyone would like further information about the National Kidney Federation, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01909 544999".
Thanks to the following for their generous donations:
Journey players £2,500
RAOB £550
South Park News (April & May) £11 £12
Chris Thorley Bourne (WKD) £240.10
Lincoln 10k runners KeithMassam£515 Chris Bellamy £180 Mr and Mrs Radley £75
Gainsborough Riverside Festival £142.77
CHARITY OPEN GOLF DAY AT CARHOLME GOLF CLUB LINCOLN SATURDAY 12™ SEPTEMBER, ANY COMBINATION TEAMS OF 3, PRIZES FOR GENTS, LADIES AND MIXED TEAMS, ENTRY FEE £36 per team, ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE
NKF Young Person's Group The Young Person's Group has a new Chairman -Wasim Hussain - and he is very interested to know how many young people in our Association (up to age 40) would be interested in joining him to either assist with the restructure of the group or if they would be interested in joining as a member. He is extremely eager and enthusiastic about the future of the group and has many ideas, which he would like to share. If you are interested please email him at this address; Wasim18@msn.com or contact NKF on 01909 544999
Future Meeting Lincs KPA All meetings are now held in the Lecture Theatre at Lincoln County Hospital, they start at 7.30pm
June 16th July 14th August 11th Sept 15th AGM Sunday 18th October 2.30pm
For Ann by Claire Young The passing of time goes on Like grains of sand it slips through our hands We look towards the new Go on with life we do For we know not what tomorrow may bring Each moment we should be cherishing Holding on tight to one another Time here is precious Sometimes too late we discover
Contact Details The National Kidney Federation for information and advice 0845 601 02 09 Calls Charged at Local Rates www.kidney.org.uk
Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association for information and advice: (01522)787339 www.Lincs-KPA.org
Linda Pickering (01522) 787339 secretary@lincs-kpa.org
Audrey Denby (01522) 883164 Treasurer
Email: admin@lincs-kpa.org
Lincs-KPA Office 119 Carholme Road Lincoln LN1 1RT
Spring/Summer 2009
Dear Members
In these difficult financial times Charities often suffer, we are no exception to this rule and so to enable us to save on postage costs and continue with this newsletter we would like to use the new electronic age to keep in touch with those members who have access to e-mail. Mick Walker has very kindly offered to put the newsletter in pdf format so that it can be attached to an email. I must say most of this is beyond me! Those of you who do not have access to e-mail please do not worry we will still be posting your copy. Of our membership, currently standing at approximately 310, we have e-mail contact details for about 60 members. If anyone has an e-mail address and still receives their copy of the newsletter by post please e-mail me with your details and I will endeavour to send your copy out the next time by e-mail attachment.
Many thanks Linda Pickering secretary@lincs-kpa.org
In this issue
Mums Dialysis by C. Young APD Workshop by J. Lawton World Kidney Day News National Transplant Week Find a Friend
''Mums Dialysis' By Claire Jayne Young
My mother started dialysis due to renal failure early in 2006, the very word dialysis was terrifying for us all. She was moved from Acute admissions unit in Lincoln County straight to Leicester General Hospital. Dr Little, mums Nephrologist, said she had to start dialysis. Mum had become very ill, she was retaining fluid, the toxins were building up in her body, her kidneys could no longer get rid of them it was a very distressing time for us all. I don't think at the time any one of us, myself, my father and certainly not my brother was prepared for this, to have mum taken away to Leicester and the fact that if she didn't she would die, it was all so scary.
From Leicester and having started the long road of dialysis, Mum attended Boston for a short while before coming home to Lincoln Renal Unit. She had transport for a couple of sessions but then dad decided to take her, it gave her less to be anxious about. I always went with Dad to take her and fetch her back. Looking back over those first few months understandably mum was rather withdrawn and depressed, something major had happened to her, to us all, she was aware she wasn't 'normal' any more (her words) she was aware this was all new to her, many new faces, kind faces eager to help, eager to listen, faces that over time would become friends, good friends, a new family. As a family we spoilt her as much as we could, took care of her, tried not to let her get down, bore the brunt of her irritability, after all she was going through so much. Sadly my dad died of lung cancer in October 2006, mum did not want to carry on with dialysis but she had to. I had to take her in the next day, we were both put in a side room, the nursing staff were extremely kind and caring. They cared about mum, I could see this, I had been coming in whilst mum was dialysing and had chatted to them, found them all really lovely, it was like we were both with family, that was a comfort in itself.
That all seems like such a long time ago now, Mum has carried on attending her second home and seeing her 'extended family' 3 times a week and she has made remarkable progress, she, I can say is a very well known and loved character there now. She makes the nursing staff and patients laugh and she has made many friends, mum is a very popular patient even when she grumbles and we all know she does that an awful lot. I can honestly say that I think she has grown to love everyone at the unit although maybe some of the time she would never admit it but I know she likes to give and receive hugs as I domyself. With coming in to wait for mum I have too been welcomed into this extended family and I have made many friends among the patients on her shift and the later ones, made friends with the housekeepers and the nursing staff and the fellow drivers, who are quite an amusing bunch. You feel like you've just got so much in common with everyone, all the patients are in the same boat and they all find mums moans amusing at times. I guess that in the time mum has spent here it has changed her out look on life, she's brighter than she was, being in surroundings with loved ones has helped change her from the anxious worried person she was, mind you she still worries when her machine bleeps (but usually tells the nurses what's wrong with it!) to a more stronger, determined person and she has learnt so much about dialysis (especially how the machines work!)
In writing this article I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff here at the unit from the Matron/Manager Martin Gerrish and Sister Karen Pammenter, the secretaries, Dr Little, the housekeepers and all the dedicated nursing staff who make the sessions bearable and the dedicated car ambulance drivers who bring so many patients in AND NOT FORGETTING, all the patients on mums shift, mum and I love each and every one of you.
Thank you to Lincoln Renal Unit.
Claire Jayne Young (daughter/carer/ driver of Margaret.)
Future Meeting Lines KPA All meetings are now held in the Lecture Theatre at Lincoln County Hospital, they start at 7.30pm
April 14th May 19th June 16th July 14th August 11th Sept 15th
AGM Sunday 18th October 2.30pm
This edition has been kindly sponsored again by Linhill Associates
In Memoriam Jeff Bryan Greeta Harness James Twycross Betty Atkin Ronald Turner Thomas Williams Ann Raymond
National Kidney Federation
A new leaflet has just been published by the NKF entitled 'Living Donor Information' along with a poster. If anyone would like a copy of either the leaflet or the poster to display in their GP surgery or local library please contact the NKF on the helpline number 0845 601 02 09.
For those of you who do have access to the internet the NKF website has a vast array of material on it. The Talkline is very interesting and hearing other peoples problems often puts your own problems into perspective. There may be a problem on there that you have faced and overcome and you may be able to help other renal patients.
The new Survey Zone on the website has been rolled out very successfully and it would assist the NKF enormously if patients would complete as many of the current surveys that are relevant and of interest to them. When it is of benefit to the patients the NKF shares the results of these surveys with other organisations, . however your answers are always anonymous, and in any case you can skip over any questions you do not wish to answer. Many of the surveys are joint projects benefiting both the NKF and at least one of their industry partners, in those instances the NKF not only receives the information it seeks but is also able to claim £1 from each completed survey.
Facebook
Facebook is the social networking site on the internet. Claire Young has informed us that she has set up a group on this site about Lincoln Renal Unit, why not log on and see what you think, add a comment.
National Transplant Week 5th-12th July
A call to double the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR) to 16 million has been achieved - 12 months before the planned date.
The appeal was launched in 2001 by former Health Secretary Alan Milbum when the Register stood at 8 million and 5,532 people were waiting for transplant. (All organs) Now more than a quarter- 26% of the UK population - have joined the ODR pledging their organs for transplant after their death but the number waiting for the call telling them that a life-saving organ has been found for them has risen to almost 8,000 (All organs)and continues to steadily increase.
Since January 2001,23,551 life-saving organ transplants have been made possible thanks to the generosity of donors and their families. Most organ transplants are carried out as a result of donation after death but today at least one in three of all kidney transplants take place through living donation, most often between couples and other family members. In our next newsletter we will have an article by a recently transplant recipient who's sister very bravely donated a kidney.
NHS Blood and Transplant figures for those waiting for a kidney stood at 6,938 as of 19/03/09.
Lincs KPA will once again be promoting National Transplant Week with displays at various venues around Lincolnshire. If you know of somewhere we can put up a display please contact us on 01522 787339 or by e-mail at secretary@lincs-kpa.org.
APD Workshop
As a patient on P.O. who like many others has had their fair share of teething problems ,1 would like to share my delight at being invited by the Lincoln Home Care Team to a workshop held at Lincoln County Hospital back in November 08. As I live over an hours drive from the hospital I was starting to feel both isolated and a certain amount of despair that a formula would ever work for me. At the workshop which was informal, although had an organised agenda there were two representatives from Baxter Health Care. One dealt with technical issues and the other, Claire who used to nurse at Leicester General, who answered any other queries. Also present were the dietitian, Gill Simpson and Julie Newton.
The afternoon proved both enlightening and dealt with any queries or problems that individuals had or experienced. The highlight of the afternoon was a hand washing up-date. Baxter's had supplied an infra red machine which highlighted inadequate washing comparing it to good two minute washing. There was plenty of interaction, discussion and problem sharing amongst the group on any problems arising. I would like to convey my appreciation to Gill and Julie for organising such a useful and productive few hours. I sincerely hope these workshops will be available on a regular basis as it was both educational and useful to talk to other people on P. O. and listen to their experiences.
Jane Lawton APD patient.
If you have any comments on this article or thoughts you would like to share please e-mail secretary@lincs-kpa.org or telephone 01522 787339
Find a friend
Renal patients often feel very isolated and alone, especially the ones who dialyse at home or are not yet dialysing. If you would like to contact other patients who may be in the same situation as yourself please contact the Lincs KPA who may be able to help. Similarly if you feel you would like to help others in your situation again please do contact us. The National Kidney Federation also run a buddy scheme for more information contact the helpline on 0845 601 02 09
World Kidney Day 12th March 2009
The theme of World Kidney Day this year was 'Keep the pressure down' and was aimed at showing the importance of high blood pressure as a symptom and cause of kidney disease.
The Lincs KPA would like to thank the Lincolnshire Cooperative Society who allowed us to set up displays in two of their stores. Unfortunately due to the building works (and the draft!) taking place at the Birchwood Store our volunteers, Chairman Leslie Curtis and his lady wife Joyce were unable to man the display for any length of time and weapologise to those members who took the time to visit the store to meet with them.
At the Welton store, attended by Mick Walker and Les and Linda Pickering, the Co-op very kindly loaned us the services of one of their pharmacists, Debbie Widdowson, who did a marvellous job monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels of the many customers who stopped to take noticeof our display. We would like to say how welcomed we were made to feel by the staff and customers at Welton.
Misunderstandings?
On Saturday 14th February, 3 of the Committee attended the Memorial Service held to commemorate the life of Jeff Bryan at Sutterton. Jeff will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
We were invited back to the Community Hall after the service where we met with patients, past and present, who attend the Boston Renal Unit. It came to our attention that there seems to be a misunderstanding about what was agreed at the 2007AGM. At the AGM in 2007 a patient from the Boston Unit asked why any donations which were given in memory of patients to the unit had to go into a central fund at Leicester. They had found it difficult to get any of this donated money back to use at the unit. Martin Gerrish, Lincoln Renal Unit Manager, suggested that any donations should be made to Lincs KPA which would then be used to purchase items patients at Boston requested. The patient from Boston accepted this suggestion and all was well until the patient wanted to raise funds in the name of the Lincs KPA and then deposit them in a separate bank account. This was against Charity Commission rules and would have been illegal it would have resulted in the Lincs KPA losing their charity status. If any one would like a copy of the minutes of the 2007 AGM they can contact the secretary on 01522787339.
It appears to be that the Lincs KPA have been made out to be the bad guys in all this which is not the case. The committee work very hard to raise the profile of renal disease and to support their members no matter what stage of CKD they are at. All monies raised go towards supporting patients and their families in Lincolnshire, and all volunteers give their time freely.
Lincs-KPA are members of the National Kidney Federation
News-letter Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association Registered Charity No 1096552
The Voice of Lincolnshire Kidney Patients An Independent Association Run by Patients and Carers
Winter 08/09
Annual General Meeting
On Sunday 26th October the AGM of the Lincolnshire Kidney Patients Association took place in the Lecture Theatre at Lincoln County Hospital. As secretary I have an apology to make to all who found it difficult to attend as it was half term, this was entirely my fault and will not happen again.
It was pleasing to see that several patients took the time to attend along with the Advocacy Officer from the NKF and Debbie Burke (nee Burrows, congratulations Debbie), Area Manager for Fresenius.
The election of the Executive took place and the following were re-elected to represent the Lincs KPA:
The minutes of this meeting raised a few questions when they were distributed and I would like to try to clear up one or two anomalies:
Firstly an official thank you had been received by the Lines KPA for the cheque which had been presented towards the Burton Ward In Patient Project. The Burton Ward has not been renamed The Vulcan Suite, this is the dialysis facility on Burton Ward.
With regards to the Thanksgiving Service, Martin Gerrish's name had been omitted in the 'thank you's' and we are sorry for this oversight as we know he had worked hard on the arrangements.
The issue over the deceased names being included in the newsletter has now been resolved.
The final item on the newsletter stated that no member of the renal staff was present at the AGM, this was true but was felt unfair on the staff as it was half term week.
An in depth report about the changes which had taken place over the last year and what the future holds for renal patients in Lincolnshire had been received from Martin Gerrish, it had been attached to the minutes, but the Chairman decided, in order to save time, to let those presentread this at their leisure and so it was not read out at the AGM. A copy of the report can be obtained from the Secretary.
Peterborough Renal Community Team I would like to introduce myself (Helen Short) and colleague Saroj Ladva as the recently formed Peterborough Renal Community Team.
Earlier this year, as part of the reorganisation of the Home Care Team at Leicester, I became Team Leader for the community in Peterborough, along with Jan Norcott who worked along side me until her retirement in April 2008. We welcomed Saroj who transferred from the Lincoln team. I trained as a nurse in 1982 and have spent most of the time since working within renal, on wards, haemodialysis units and in the community. During this time I have taken various specialist qualifications and also worked at the Walsgrave Hospital Coventry in their renal dept. I joined the Home Care team in Leicester in 2000 working in Lincoln, then in South Northants before forming the new Peterborough team earlier last year. Saroj has also been in renal nursing for many years, spending time on the haemodialysis unit at Peterborough before moving toward 10 LGH. Saroj moved to the Home Care team in 2005 and worked within Lincoln. She joined the new Community team when it formed at the end of 2007 and I am sure will be known by many people in the Lincoln area. Saroj and I see people at home on P. O. and HHD and those needing support, information and counselling on possible treatment options in the pre dialysis phase. We hope to provide a responsive local service which aims to provide care closer to people's homes. At the moment people still do need to travel to Leicester for various reasons, but we are gradually introducing aspects of our service that we can provide locally.
Over the last few months we have started to run a chronic kidney disease (CKD) information day at Stamford hospital which has been well received by those who attend. We have been very well supported in this by the Lincolnshire and Northants KPA's. Joyce and Leslie Curtis, who attend, have provided an excellent resource of written information, both local KPA and NKF literature. Joyce also shares her experiences of life on peritoneal dialysis, giving an inspiring account of how to successfully manage your own treatment and take control! Until we are able to establish our own branch of the KPA, I feel we are very lucky to be so well supported by these dynamic organisations; they are such positive advocates for local kidney patients. Other progress has been in providing PD training in patients own homes, home visits following PD tube insertions and providing a nurse in the CKD clinic for enhanced support and information. These developments have all meant people did not have to travel for their care of have provided an enhanced service. We know we have many other areas to action and look forward to the challenge and the progress we can make. We welcome constructive feedback and suggestions on how our service could be further improved and I can be contacted on helen.short@uhl-tr.nhs.uk or 07921 545385.
The area covered by the Peterborough Renal Community Team covers parts of Lincolnshire including Stamford, Bourne and some of the Spalding area.
Peterborough KPA OK then where are all the willing volunteers? Setting up your own KPA is not as daunting a task as you may think. Both Lines KPA and Northants KPA are willing to help. Contact Linda Pickering (Lines Secretary) on 01522 787339 or Marion Higgins( Northants Secretary) on 01604 760715.
Come on what have you got to lose?
Big Book of Benefits The Lines KPA have recently purchased the Big Book on Benefits. It was originally published to help mental health patients when applying for benefits but has soon become a book that no health related voluntary organisation can do with out. Mick Walker, Lincoln Renal Unit representative has the book and is willing to help members who need advice on benefits.
Web sites Mick Walker has been very busy since the last edition, putting together a booklet containing the names and locations of web sites which could be very useful to our members. The booklet covers web sites on renal, holidays and insurance, other illnesses, advisory services, charities and a multitude of other areas. Mick has worked very hard and tirelessly to be able to provide this information for you. A copy of the booklet will be available at the Lincoln Renal Unit and he is available if you require any information. Boston and Skegness will be getting their copy soon. If you are a home dialysis patient or a pre-dialysis patient requiring information you can e-mail Mick at; MMICKWALKER@AOL.COM
The committee would like to say a big thank you to Mick on behalf of all of our members.
This issue of the Lines KPA newsletter has once again been sponsored by Linhill Associates to whom we are indebted.
Renal Dietician I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself; I'm Helen Hayes the renal dietician based at Lincoln County Hospital. Those of you receiving haemodialysis treatment see me regularly on the dialysis units at Lincoln and Skegness. I also attend clinics for patients having peritoneal dialysis both at Lincoln and Boston and a weekly clinic at Lincoln for pre-dialysis patients. For those of you who are admitted to Lincoln County Hospital I am available to advise ward staff and yourselves to ensure you continue to receive appropriate food during your hospital stay. If you have your haemodialysis treatment at Boston you will be familiar with Katy Stuart the renal dietician based at Pilgrim Hospital.
The aim of the so-called 'renal diet' is to ensure people with kidney problems eat sufficient food to be a healthy weight whilst keeping the amount of potassium and phosphate in the blood at a safe level. However it is important to remember there is no standard 'renal diet'. People with kidney problems have many different dietary needs depending on their blood results, weight and fluid needs along with any other conditions they may have. As a general rule of thumb I advise most kidney patients to be careful with the amount of fat and sugar in their food as this helps to cut down the calories and prevent weight gain. All kidney patients have the levels of potassium and phosphate in their blood checked regularly. You only need to cut down on potassium and phosphate in your diet if your doctor, dietician or renal nurse asks you to. One thing we would all benefit from is cutting down on salt. Most people in the UK eat too much salt and everyone should reduce their intake to less than 6g (1 teaspoon) a day. A high salt intake is linked with high blood pressure. Keeping blood pressure well controlled can help slow the deterioration in kidney function in many cases of kidney disease. Salt also tends to make you thirsty so having less salt in your diet will make it easier to stick to any fluid restrictions you may have.
There is enough salt present naturally in food to meet our bodies needs; therefore there is no nutritional need to add extra salt to our food. Most of our salt intake comes from processed or manufactured foods as well as the salt we add during cooking or at the table. Your taste buds adapt quickly to using less salt and you may actually find after 2-4 weeks that foods taste too salty if salt has been added to them.
Here are some tips to help you cut down on salt;
Don't add salt at the table
Remember brown sauce, salad cream, ketchup and soy sauce are also high in salt, only use in small amounts.
Cook with out salt
Try using pepper, vinegar, herbs and spices to add flavour to foods. Aim to use only a small pinch of salt in cooking if any is needed at all.
Cut down on manufactured and processed foods Meals cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients will contain much less salt than convenience foods such as jars of sauce, packet mixes and ready meals.
When buying tinned vegetables choose those labelled 'no added salt' or 'reduced salt'
You may of seen a number of salt substitutes on the supermarket shelves (e.g. Losalt). These contain potassium chloride and are not suitable for people with kidney problems.
If there are any dietary topics you would like me to cover in future editions or any questions you would like answering please contact:
Linda Pickering secretary Lines KPA on 01522787339.
Thanks to the following for their generous donations. Jo Robertson Auction of Goods £227.12
Woodhall Spa Lions Club £200 In memory of Mr J A Fenton £205
South Park News Collection Tin £13
NKF for sale of raffle tickets £51
RAF Cranwell £100
Priory Centre Xmas Fayre £24.10
Gainsborough Xmas Fayre £83
Cranwell Xmas Fayre £44
Mr G Rush £10
Mr R East £20
Holidays If you are thinking about taking a holiday and need insurance, the Lines KPA has a list of insurance agents willing to insure renal patients, please Contact the Secretary on 01522 787339 to obtain a copy.
Recipe This editions recipe comes from a book called 'Enjoying Food on a Renal Diet' which can be purchased from Ultrapharm Ltd. Send a cheque for £7.50 to Ultrapharm Ltd, P.O. Box 18, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2AW.
Chicken Paprika 150g Chicken 40g margarine, oil or butter. 2 tablespoons cornflour 200ml water 1 small onion chopped 1 small green pepper 75ml sour cream Pepper Chopped parsley 1 teaspoon paprika powder
Season the chicken with the paprika powder and fry in the oil. Remove from the pan and keep warm, fry the onion and then the chicken to the pan, add the water and simmer for about 20mins adding the sliced pepper after 10 mins. Remove the chicken and keep warm. Add the cornflour mixed with a little cold water to the remaining liquid, then bring to the boil stirring all the time and cook for 2 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the cream. Return the chicken to the dish and add chopped parsley. Re heatand serve with boiled rice.
This book has sections on diet, conversion tables, herbs spices and essences, recipes, eating out and special products.
Renal Patient View Renal patient view provides online information about renal patients diagnosis, treatment and their latest test results. Patients can share this information with anyone they want and view it from anywhere in the world. Leicester General Hospital is one of the units involved, all you need is access to a computer, this does not need to be your own it could be a family members or a friends.
For more information on Renal Patient View contact your renal unit or ask your community renal nurse. Renal Patient View have asked the Lines KPA if any of ourmembers would like to join OPINION HEALTH'S consumer health care panel. Panel members are paid for participating in the surveys. The surveys are conducted mainly on behalf of pharmaceutical companies and healthcare communication agencies who seek patients input on the nature of their condition and their views about treatment and care. You can join an OPINION HEALTH panel by registering your e-mail address first and then going on to complete a profiling questionnaire.
If you would like more information about OPINION HEALTH and its panels please go to http://opinionhealth.co.uk If you wish to talk to some one in OPINION HEALTH please contact Eric Sharp, Marketing Director on 0203 031 3532.
Unwanted Christmas Gifts The committee are always on the look out for any donations towards the tombola, so if you have any unwanted presents please put them to good use and think of the KPA
Transport Survey Two in three patients took part in patient transport survey. The NHS Information Centre would like to thank everyone that took part in the first national patient transport survey on 15 and 16 October 2008. Two thirds of all kidney haemodialysis patients filled in the survey, which is part of the new National Kidney Care Audit.
The NHS Information Centre are delighted at how engaged patients have been, and it's hoped that they will be able to see the benefits over the coming months. Once they are published early next year, renal units will be using the results of the survey for local action planning - and are being encouraged to include patients in this process. This will help make sure patient transport services meet the needs of all of you who rely on them.
For more information visit; www.ic.nhs.uk/kidneycareaudit
Future Meetings of the Lincs KPA Due to the non availability of the Robey Suite the next 3 meetings will take Place in the Lecture Theatre, Lincoln County Hospital on Tuesday, 10th February and Tuesday 10th March 2009, at 7.30pm.
In Memorium Paul Carton Joseph Kirchner Mr G Simms (Peterborough) M r J A Fenton John Robertson T.V.Rayment
Contact Details The National Kidney Federation for information and advice. 0845 601 02 09 "Calls Charged at Local Rates www.kidney.org.uk
Lincolnshire kidney patients association for information and advice. (01522)787339 www.Lincs-KPA.org