29/09/2011

The Patients Association Run a Medicines Shortage Survey

The Patients Association are hearing from patients that the availability of medicines stock may be having an impact on some patients and are currently trying to highlight this to Government and other stakeholders.

They state, "Your views are important and collectively we can call for change. We would like you to complete a short survey so that we can build impactful messages about the challenges this issue presents. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes of your time, thank you for participating in this important debate."

This may be a good survey for our members to complete so do let your views be known:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Patient_MedicinesShortage

27/09/2011

Joanne completes Charity Walk in aid of Thyroid UK!

We are extremely pleased to tell you that Joanne Phillips completed the Ellesmere 3 lakes challenge! We would like to take this opportunity of saying a big THANK YOU to Joanne. We are really grateful for her sponsorship. Well Done!

She has sent us the following report:

Thyroid UK Charity Walk 2011 We completed the 8 mile walk in just over 3 hours and it was certainly a challenge – much harder than I’d expected!  At around 6 miles I reached my current fitness limit (!) and each step after that was really hard work. The only hairy moment was coming across an unexpected hill in an even more unexpected field full of interested-looking cows!  It was around this time that I pulled something at the back of my knee – but to complete the walk without some sort of injury would have been no fun at all :-) When the going got really tough, I kept thinking about all the people out there who are suffering right now with an undiagnosed thyroid condition – I hope the money raised can go some way towards helping someone avoid going through what I went through. I’ve come a long way since my diagnosis – three years ago I couldn’t have imagined doing an 8 mile walk, despite having been fit and healthy for all the years up to the point when I became ill. It’s great to feel back on track – I’m already planning a new challenge for 2012. Thanks for all the support: as I write my total sponsorship is around £270.
At the beginning - full of energy!	Lake number 1 - Blakemere
Lake number 2 - Colemere	Those hills are tough going!
Of course it rained!	Third and final lake - Ellesmere. Nearly at the end - and knackered!

20/09/2011

One in three PCTs has issued guidance
restricting prescriptions to 28 days' treatment

Several PCT's across England have issued guidance saying that we have to obtain a prescription monthly. Some PCT's support the practice but do not have official guidance.

The Government are trying to make changes that allow patients more control over their health and yet the PCT's are ensuring that we have to waste time obtaining constant prescriptions.

For more information go to: http://www.gponline.com/News/article/1078204/exclusive-one-three-pcts-restricts-prescriptions

20/09/2011

Adam and Craig Complete the Glasgow Half Marathon

We are so pleased to tell you that Adam Brett and Craig Robinson completed the Glasgow Half Marathon on Sunday 4th September in aid of Thyroid UK.

Adam told us, "Well, we did it. It was very hard, particularly for me, but we managed it. It was a very balmy day and the sun came through at some points. I finished the half marathon in 2:15:12 and Craig completed it in 2:25:06. The total is currently at £560 (£677.50 Gift-aid). It's been a pleasure helping Thyroid UK - thank you for your support and help."

From left to right:
Andrew Robinson (Craig's Father), Craig Robinson, Angela Brett (Adam's Sister, who ran the 10k in aid of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland) and Adam Brett.

We would like to thank Adam and Craig and their families and friends for raising this money for Thyroid UK. It will be helping to raise awareness of thyroid disease and related conditions to so many more people.

They deserve a very well earned rest now!

16/09/2011

Patient UK Survey Results

1,700 patients showed an overwhelming demand for online health services such as booking GP appointments and ordering repeat medication in a survey conducted by Patient UK.

Being able to identify the side effects of drugs was the biggest demand, with 91% of people wanting this service. 90% would use an online symptom-checker; 87% wanted to be able to order repeat prescriptions on-line; 85% wanted to be able to book an appointment with their GP.

This survey shows that Thyroid UK's new project, which is being worked on as we speak, is something that people definitely want so we are really pleased!

To read more about the survey go to http://www.patient.co.uk/surveypr.asp

14/09/2011

Treatment Denial Survey by Patients Association

The Patients Association is running a survey on treatment denials. Specifically, it is looking into whether the number of treatment denials have increased over the last 2 years. If you have tried to access a service such as audiology, podiatry or pain management services then they would be keen to hear from you. Even if you have been successful, this is still useful information which they can use to inform their campaigns.

If you have been denied a particular thyroid hormone treatment, you would need to enter details into the "other" section.

The survey should only take a few minutes to complete and can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZRP9MGG.

2/09/2011

Thyroid UK is holding a 10th Anniversary Raffle
to help raise much needed funds, with the winning tickets being drawn at the Thyroid UK 10th Anniversary Conference in Chingford on 22nd October 2011

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