Author: Christine

The Patient and Client Council (PCC) is establishing a training and support programme to enable the citizens of Northern Ireland to take part in the various Work Streams involved in implementation of the “Delivering Together Health and WellBeing 2026”  Strategy.

These Work Streams will include such high profile initiatives as re-shaping the way Stroke Services are delivered, as well as more routine matters, such as establishing dedicated centres (“Elective Care Centres”) for routine surgical procedures, which will help cut waiting lists for these operations.

There is acute time pressure, because the need to reform the Health system is so pressing; so the PCC are taking the first steps to recruit people who would be interested in participating in the Work Streams, and to provide the first step of the induction and training process.

Please see the PCC’s Making Change Together infographic 

for more details  If you are interested in taking part,  register your interest with Jessica Murray (e mail: Jessica.murray@hscni.net); and spread the word in your networks.  This initiative will be a great opportunity to get our voice heard, where and when it matters, in building our Health and Social Care system.

We in NIRDP are working in partnership with the PCC to design and develop the training and support programme, bringing our NIRDP Members’ knowledge and experience to the table.  Julie Power, our Director and Secretary and a EUPATI Fellow, and Kerry Moore, our RANK Foundation funded  “Time to Shine” Intern, are working with Jessica Murray in the PCC to assemble and develop the training package. This will start with a basic introduction to the HSC system, but will lead on to modules covering wider issues, including how to engage and advocate most effectively as an “Expert” Patient/Service User/Carer.

The Centre for Public Health at QUB (@CPH_QUB) are researching the experience of using complementary and alternative medicines for rare diseases in Northern Ireland; and ran a Survey to gather information (see the post below)

NIRDP and the Centre for Public Health are now hosting a Discussion Workshop for people with experience of using complementary and alternative medicines, or who are considering this approach, to share experiences and gather more information.

The Workshop is in Lecture Room 1 at Riddel Hall, from 10.30 to 12.30 on 6 March 2019: there will be tea/coffee/water/juice and tray-bakes! Places are limited to 25, so please register now, and share your experience and questions!

We are busy finalising the Programme for this, the Fourth Joint North South Rare Disease Conference. There are still some details to sort out, but see below  for the latest version.

Programme

09.00 – 10.15               REGISTRATION AND COFFEE

10.15 – 10.30               Welcome  and Introductions

Fiona McLaughlin, Chair NIRDP & Philip Watt, Chair MRCG

10.30 – 10.45              “Nothing about us without us”

Les Allamby, Chief Commissioner, NIHRC

10.45 – 11.30               Rare Disease and the Strategies

Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, DoH (NI)

Another Speaker TBC

11.30 – 12.30               Participating in Research

Dr Maurice O’Kane, NI Clinical Research Network

Dr Claire Lundy, Regional Paediatric Neurodisability Service

Another Speaker TBC

12.30 – 13.30               LUNCH

Poster Competition:    “Nothing About Us Without Us” (see below)

Side Event – Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

13.30 – 14.15               Panel Discussion – BUILDING CAPACITY

Chair – Mary Hinds, PHA

Panellists to include: Derrick Mitchell, IPPOSI; Gemma McKillen, EUPATI;  Julie Power, VIA,

14.15 – 15.15               WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?

100k Genomes Programme – Dr AJ McKnight

The 22 Q Journey: Anne Lawlor, Chairperson 22q11 Ireland         Support Group; Dr Tabib Dabir, BHSCT; Gillian Cassidy, 22Q Support Group Dr Mary Dallas, PHA

22 Q Video

15.15 – 15.30               COFFEE BREAK

15.30 – 16.15               Panel Discussion – BEYOND THE STRATEGIES: NEXT STEPS

Chair – Professor Ian Young

Dr Avril Kennan, MRCG

Philip Watt, MRCG

Anne Lawlor, Chairperson 22q11 Ireland Support Group

2 Members TBC

16.15 – 16.30               PRESENTATION OF POSTER COMPETION PRIZES & NIRDP AWARDS

Fiona McLaughlin, Philip Watt & Professor Ian Young

16.30                           CLOSE – Philip Watt

Register NOW to be sure of your place!

Note:  There is a Poster Competition: the Topic,  is “Nothing about us without us” tying in with the Rare Disease Day Theme of  “Research: Patients are not only subjects but also proactive actors in research”https://www.rarediseaseday.org/page/news/the-theme-for-rare-disease-day-2018-is

The Competition (with prizes!)  aims to showcase examples of research, academic, clinical, social where patients and families were engaged and  involved; what difference it made; and what is happening now and into the future.  So if you or your organisation have worked with rare disease patients, families and carers to do any research, surveys, etc which  are being used or could be used to influence and shape treatments,  care and services for people with rare disease, send a short abstract to rarediseaseday2018@health-ni.gov.uk ,  with POSTER COMPETITION in the Subject line, by Friday 23 February.  Posters must be A0 size Portrait, and brought to Riddell Hall on the day by 9.00am on 5 March 2018 for display.