COVID 19:
Our thoughts are with everyone touched by the experience of intensive care, patients and their family and friends; whether that’s surviving COVID 19, or any other illness. We hope that you will reach out to some of the support networks which are here.
Intensive Care Patient Support Group
Our ICU Support Group is an opportunity for post-intensive care patients to get together with people who have had similar experiences.
Our group is here for people who feel that they might benefit from some support after a spell in intensive care. This might be because things aren’t going quite right or just an opportunity to hear from others about how they have coped and what support is available.
Meetings are very informal with the chance for discussion in small groups as well as talks from health professionals or patients. Patients as well as family and friends are welcome.
The ICU patient support group meets early evening 3 times a year in March, June, and October.
Patients will receive details about the Support Group at your Rehabilitation Clinic appointment, or you can email us on khft.icurehab@nhs.net.
For more information & support:
ICU Steps
A national charity offering support for patients and families. ICU Steps publish a guide to intensive care, available in 18 languages on their website and a range of information sheets.
Voicemail: 0300 30 20 121
www.ICUsteps.org
Critical Care Recovery
An NHS website offering information, advice and support, for patients and their families.
http://www.criticalcarerecovery.com
Our group offers a warm welcome and support around better managing tinnitus.
The regular group meetings and occasional talks and presentations from guest speakers, enable people to come together to understand more about tinnitus and share their experiences and coping skills. The group is currently online. The group usually meets on the 3rd Thursday evening of every month.
For more information please visit their dedicated page.
Who we are for:
We are a patient led self-help support group for people living with chronic pain.
Our aim is to provide an environment where members feel supported and are able to share their experiences with others who understand how it is to live with chronic pain.
How we came about:
The group was started in June 2018 by patients from the Kingston Hospital Pain Clinic with the support of the Pain Management Department at Kingston Hospital.
What we do:
We are a relaxed and informal group and hold regular meetings which begin with tea and a chat.
There will usually be a relaxation session and a gentle stretch session for those who want to join in. Other activities are decided by the group. Past activities include: Picnics in Richmond Park, hand painting pottery at studio 432 and a trip to Richmond panto.
How we meet:
We are currently meeting on Zoom at 12 on Monday. We hope soon to also run a series of Zoom meetings with speakers on pain management techniques and monthly physiotherapy.
Membership is £12:00 per year (This can be waived if you are on a low income).
How to contact us:
If you have any questions, would like to join, or simply would like to know more about the group please email us: thepainconnectionuk@outlook.com
Stronger together!
How we started:
The Kingston Haematology Patient Support Group was set up in March 2020 with the Haematology Day Unit at Kingston Hospital.
We work closely with the nurses in the Day Unit. And we are fortunate that the Day Unit, where we have our treatment and blood tests, is in the new and attractive Sir William Rous building.
Who we are for and what we do:
Our patient support group provides emotional and practical support for patients with Myeloma, Leukaemia and Lymphoma. Patients support each other. Family and carers are also welcome.
If you are newly diagnosed, we are especially keen to hear from you and to offer you our support.
How we stay in touch & support each other:
Contact has been maintained throughout lockdown through emails, telephone, Zoom meetings and monthly newsletters.
For those who do not have IT, contact is mainly over the phone and by post. If you would like to join our online meetings but are unsure how to use Zoom – we can teach you. So please do ask!
As well as covering different topics in our monthly newsletters, we are planning an informal programme of speakers at our Zoom meetings – to cover topics such as nutrition and wellbeing.
To find out more contact:
Dorothy Gonsalves
Email: dorothygons@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile: 07961 273528
Further Information:
Kingston Haemotology Department – Demystifying Chemotherapy – Video
Macmillan cancer information and support service
Ground floor/ Sir William Rous Unit/ Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone: 020 8973 5001
Email: khft.macinfoswru@nhs.net
Other support organisations
A good source of information and support is given by the charities representing our interests, e.g. Myeloma UK at www.myeloma.org.uk.
We are now listed on their website as the support group for Kingston. They have up to date advice re Covid-19, a chat forum and tips for keeping up morale.
For those who cannot access the internet, there is a free helpline. Call on: 0800 980 3332. The Myeloma Infoline is available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
There is also www.lymphoma-action.org.uk and www.leukaemiacare.org.uk
Cardiology has improved in all our lifetimes out of recognition. People who would have died 40 years ago are able to live healthy and active lives with the aid of modern techniques, technology and drugs.
All disciplines and treatments in the NHS are under enormous pressure, especially now. The generosity of donors to the Kingston Cardiac Support Trust, past and future, is vital for the continuing provision of the excellent Cardiology service at Kingston.
The Kingston Cardiac Support Trust was formed in 1991 by Dr. Culling, then the Senior Cardiac Consultant, and four former cardiac patients – all of whom had suffered a heart attack and three had undergone heart bypass operations.
The reason for forming the Trust was to provide an independent mechanism for raising funds, receiving donations and paying for the provision of specialist medical equipment, for the Cardiology Department at Kingston Hospital, not provided by the NHS. There are currently eight active Trustees All are unpaid volunteers.
Since being established the Trust has raised more than £600,000. The money has been used to purchase a wide range of equipment for the benefit of cardiac patients which would not otherwise have been available. In recent years purchases have included heart event recorders, blood pressure monitors and software systems for the Cardiology Department as well as equipment for the Physiotherapy Department where Cardiac Rehabilitation takes place.
The formal Objects of the Kingston Cardiac Support Trust are:
The promotion of health and wellbeing by the provision of any equipment, not provided by the Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or by the Government or by any bother body, required for the Cardiology Department at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or for other ancillary cardiology clinics and used by the cardiac consultants for the examination, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Registered Charity No. 1004975
To contact the Trust please email Kingston.C.S.Trust@gmail.com
Our Cardiac Patient Support Group:
Why join a cardiac patient support group?
Many people who have a heart problem need further help and support following their recovery and with ongoing management of their condition. Joining our support group can help you and your family to feel less alone when dealing with these issues.
Whilst unfortunately we are currently unable to visit wards and offer our usual supervised exercise programme in the hospital, we are continuing to offer our members and their relatives support during the pandemic.
How we are keeping in touch:
We continue to offer support to our members by staying in touch by phone and email.
If you would like to join out network or find our more
Contact us : Please email to get involved: Kingston.C.S.Trust@gmail.com
Further information and support:
British Heart foundation Website: https://www.bhf.org.uk
Heart Helpline eart Helpline – for medical enquiries: 0300 330 3311
Phone lines are open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Saturdays 10am – 4pm
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/coronavirus-and-you
Arrhythmia Alliance information & Support : https://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/about
Welcome to the Kingston branch of Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is the leading charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of every person affected by or at risk of diabetes.
We provide information, help and peer support, so people with diabetes can manage their condition effectively. We are one of the largest funders of diabetes research in the UK.
Currently there are over 8000 people in the Royal Borough of Kingston diagnosed as having a diabetic condition and national indicators are that there must be almost a further 2,000 who are unaware and undiagnosed.
The Kingston Information & Support Group meet monthly and have a full programme of events scheduled for 2020 – 2021 for you to get involved in, covering all ages, as well as Type 1 or Type 2 conditions. Please see below.
The group is not only for those with a diabetic condition but also family, friends and carers, as well as others who may have worries or concerns about acquiring the condition. We are here for you.
How is our group run?
The Kingston branch of Diabetes UK enjoys the support and encouragement of Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and both the national and regional office of Diabetes UK.
We are grateful for the support of these bodies and recommend that members of the local group become both members of the Foundation Trust as well as Diabetes UK.
Kingston is one of the newest Groups associated to Diabetes UK:
We formed in October 2015 and have made great progress and helped a lot of people since that time. In Summer 2019 we were the proud recipient of a Diabetes UK Inspire Award Nomination. Chairman is Richard Allen, Secretary Anne Lewis-Lloyd and Treasurer David Cruden. The term of office is one year and an AGM on 13th October 2020 will include elections to these posts and a further two Committee positions.
Ideas on how the group can progress, as well as raise much-needed funds for additional diabetes research are very welcome.
We look forward to having you join us. Perhaps you could even take part and shape the future of the group. Please get in touch with us by email at: rbklocaldiabetesgroup@gmail.com
Please also see the Diabetes UK website.
Unless otherwise indicated, all events take place between 6.45–8.30pm : Further venue details to be confirmed.
Tuesday 19th January
Tuesday 16th February
Tuesday 16th March
