Stobhill Education Classes

05/10/07 : Esther McGlinchey, NRAS Volunteer

		Esther McGlinchey, NRAS Volunteer speaking at the Stobhill education class Recently Sister Liz McIvor, of Stobhill Rheumatology, had asked me if I would come along to her Education Classes and talk about what it was like living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The classes run for four weeks and each week two members of the Rheumatology Team come along and talk about their area of expertise. Sister McIvor felt the only area not covered was the viewpoint of the patient.

Education Classes include information about NRAS so people with RA know it’s there and can avail themselves of its help when they need it. Anne Lowe, who is a Social Worker, and I were to share the last week. Her talk was a very lucid explanation of the Social Security Benefits that people with RA might qualify for. This was supplemented with personal anecdotal experiences of her partner who also has RA.

After a short break it was my turn. I began by talking about NRAS. I think that every RA patient should be made aware of our charity. So that they know it’s there and can avail themselves of its help when they need it. I then spent some time on my personal experiences of living with RA.

After the talk we had a further opportunity to chat. There was some interest in the NRAS publications especially the Newly Diagnosed, DLA and Benefits Booklets. The general feeling of all the attendees was that the classes had been very helpful and instructive.

As a patient myself and on behalf of all the patients who have benefited from these classes, I would like to thank Liz McIvor for all her efforts in organising these classes. Also a big thank-you to the individual members of the Rheumatology team who have taken time out of their busy schedules to come and give these talks, we really do appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication.

		I would like to thank Sister Liz McIvor, Rheumatology Specialist Nurse, for including the viewpoint of the patient in the Educational Classes Health professionals often require a patient’s input into studies and research that they are conducting. NRAS volunteers all over the UK, like Esther in Scotland, are regularly assisting in such projects.

If you are a health professional who would like more information about how NRAS volunteers can help you please call the NRAS Volunteer Network team on 0845 458 3969.