North of England

Blackpool NRAS Group - BADRAG

This group holds their meetings at Clifton Hospital, Pershore Road, Lytham St Annes FY8 1PB 7:00pm—8:30pm unless otherwise stated.
BADRAG Website: www.badrag.org.uk/index.html

Dates and speakers for 2012:

Thursday 15 March -
Drug Treatments - Dr Stephen Jones, Consultant Rheumatologist


Bolton NRAS Group

This NRAS group is co-ordinated by NRAS Members & Volunteers, Lindsey and Jean, with the help and support of Senior Sister Beverley Travers.
Meetings take place usually on the first Thursday of every month between 1:45pm and 3:45pm.  Unless otherwise indicated, meetings take place in Room 30, The Rheumatology Department, 2nd Floor, Lever Chambers, Ashburner Street, Bolton BL1 1SQ.

Dates and Speakers for 2012:

1st March - Mr William Ryan, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
5th April - Dr Anindita Paul, Consultant Rheumatologist
3rd May - Mrs Edna Liptrott, Bolton Osteoporosis Group
7th June - Mr Garth Evans, Bolton Age Concern
5th July
6th September
4th October
1st November
6th December



Cumbria NRAS Group

This NRAS group hold meetings across the county in key towns such as Whitehaven, Penrith and Carlisle.

Dates and speakers for 2012:

To be confirmed



Gateshead NRAS Group

Meetings are held on a Monday from 6:30pm - 8:00pm with refreshments being served at 6:15pm (£1 donation would be appreciated).
They are held at the Lamesley Room, Gateshead Civic Centre, NE8 1HH. Free parking at the Gateshead Civic Centre.
The talks are followed by a raffle and time to chat.

If you are able to attend please leave a message for Jacqui Binding on 0191 445 5240 or email lindsay.muse@ghnt.nhs.uk

Dates and speakers for 2012:

20th February
- Guest speaker Dr Clive Kelly, Consultant Rheumatologist from Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Topic - The Management of RA



Leeds NRAS Group Launch & RA information event

Wednesday 14th March 2012 - 6:45pm - Village Hotel, 186 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds LS16 5PR
Speakers to include members of the Rheumatology Team from Chapel Allerton Hospital and NRAS
To register attendance please call NRAS on 0845 458 3969 or email sue@nras.org.uk  or volunteers@nras.org.uk with number of attendees and your contact details by
 9th March 2012



Newcastle Upon Tyne - Free Patients & Carers 2nd North East Rheumatology Patient Conference

Saturday 24th March 2012 - 10am to 3.30pm
Education Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne on 24th March 2012 from 10:00am to 3:30pm
If you would like to know more or to reserve a place please contact Marion Reed: tel: 01207 509186 or email: rpconference2012@gmail.com


Middlesborough Group (non NRAS group)

The Arthritis Support Group is an informal chance for members to meet regularly and support each other.
Meetings are usually held monthly on the third Wednesday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in Rheumatology OT Dept., James Cook University Hospital.



North East NRAS Group

The North East Volunteer Group of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society meet in the coffee bar at Newcastle Central Library, New Bridge Street West on the second Wednesday of the month between 11:00am and 12:00 noon for a chat and a cuppa. Please feel free to come along. We look forward to seeing you, your family and/or friends. Dates in 2012: February 8th, March 14th, April 11th, May 9th, June 13th, July 11th, August 8th, September 12th, October 10th, November 14th, December 12th.

A display table with information about the Group, including NRAS publications, will be in the main foyer near Outpatients at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle on 8th May and 9th October 2012.  Members will be present.

Dates for 2012:

Tuesday 17th April, Thursday 11th July & Wednesday 10th October - Speakers to be confirmed

Saturday 24th March [10am - 3.30pm] - 2nd North East Rheumatology Patient Conference - in the Education Centre of the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.  Free for Patients and Carers. Contact Marion Reed: rpconference2012@gmail.com




North Durham NRAS Group

The group was launched in May 2011 and meets 4 times a year in Chester-le-Street, Consett, Durham & Stanley. The meetings are held on a Thursday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm unless otherwise stated. There will also be a raffle and refreshments at the meetings.

Dates for 2012

8th March - Speaker: Dr Chuck, Consultant Rheumatologist from University Hospital of North Durham Topic: Osteoporosis  and Yvonne Bottle, Dietician from University Hospital of North Durham Topic: Healthy Easting and Dietary Myths - Venue: Cornerstone Centre, Methodist Church, North Burns, Chester-le-Street DH3 3TF (free on street parking)
14th June - Speaker: David Liddle, Podiatrist Venue: Education Centre Common Room, University Hospital of North Durham, North Road, Durham DH1 5TW
13th September - Speaker: John Issacs, Professor of Clinical Rheumatology Venue: (to be confirmed) Stanley
13th December - Speaker: Mr Grower, Orthopaedic Foot Surgeon Venue: St Patrick's Church Hall, Victoria Road, Consett DH8 5AX

For further information please contact either sue@nras.org.uk or ndnrassingleton14.eclipse.co.uk


Oldham NRAS Group

The Oldham NRAS Group was launched in October 2011.
Meetings are held at St John's Ambulance Headquarters, Busk Road, off Ellen Street, Oldham OL9 6QY on the last Tuesday of every second month from 7:00pm - 8:30pm unless otherwise stated

Dates and speakers for 2012:

28th February
24th April
26th June
28th August
30th October


Salford NRAS Group

LAUNCH MEETING
The launch meeting for this group will be held at Humphrey Booth Lecture Theatre, Mayo Building, Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD from 6:45pm

TUESDAY 13th MARCH 2012 at 6.45PM - Guest speakers to include Rheumatologist Consultants, Allied Health professionals and representatives of NRAS
Please register your interest in attending by calling 0845 458 3969 or email sue@nras.org.uk or volunteers@nras.org.uk by 6th MARCH 2012
All welcome - Free parking and refreshments


Scarborough NRAS & Fibromyalgia Group

SCARF weblink
Meetings on the first Wednesday each month in the Post Graduate Centre at Scarborough Hospital - 7pm prompt.

Dates and speakers for 2012:

7th March - Managing the Rheumatology Service, Scarborough, Malton and Bridlington by Jo Southwell and Lisa Green from the Management Team
4th April - Exercise as an Inspirational Tool by Gill Taylor, Occupational Therapist (used for her work with ex servicemen)
2nd May - Question time on Fibromyalgia by Jean Crossley from the Fibromyalgia Association UK
6th June - An afternoon outing - details to be arranged
4th July - The Work of Arthritis Care by Angela Bailey, Area Manager, Arthritis Care
August - no meeting
5th September - Winning through! The Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Experience by Paula Lonsdale, Angela Cammish, Valerie Hobson and Beryl Richardson


Sheffield NRAS Group

Meetings for this group currently take place on the first Saturday of the month at The Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James' Street, Sheffield S1 2EW - between 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Dates and speakers for 2012:

4th February
7th April
2nd June
4th August
6th October
1st December



St Helens NRAS Group

Meetings will be held at St Helens Town Hall, Room 8, Victoria Square, St Helens WA10 1HP Free car park at the back (take first right off Birchley Street) and disabled access via lift (left of main stairs). From 6:30 to 8:00pm unless otherwise stated.

Dates and speakers for 2012:

Thursday 15th March - Talk of Foot Care by Liz Macauley, Advanced Podiatrist
Tuesday 22nd May - Talk on The Benefits of Exercise by Ann Griffiths, Advanced Clinician, Physiotherapy


York Group (non NRAS group)

Meetings take place the second Saturday of each month between 3pm - 5pm at the York CVS, The Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York. The CVS has full disabled access and facilities, and some parking for blue badge holders. Please contact Susan on 01904 642227 for further details.