NEWS

We are now acting as a patient forum group for our local rheumatology department at 'Torbay Hospital', Torquay in Devon. We have had a lot of discussion with Dr. Viner and his colleagues about the most effective way we can help. Our role is developing all the time and we are looking at a number of projects that specifically support people with arthritis as they navigate their way through the medical maze.

Email received 8 November 2007
I am a Producer here at Community Channel – a registered charity that is the UK’s only television station dedicated to highlighting issues from the voluntary and charity sector.  We broadcast on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and from 6 am to 9 am on Freeview 87.  Please feel free to have a look at our website to discover more about what we do (www.communitychannel.org < http://www.communitychannel.org/ > ).

I would just like to let you know about a programme we are premiering tonight about Rheumatoid Arthritis which I think your members might be interested in.  Our production unit, Media Trust Productions, has produced a wonderful series called, ‘What can Science do For Me’.  One of the episodes focuses on Rheumatoid Arthritis which features Debbie Grice who was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis while still a student at the Royal College of Art. Her career as an artist was suddenly cut short as she struggled to cope.  Debbie wants to know what research scientists are doing to find better treatments and perhaps a cure.  Debbie and her husband, Andrew meet some of the scientists leading the way in RA research and describes her artistic journey - the impact of her condition on her art and how she hopes to resurrect her career.

It’s a fascinating, positive, well researched and up to date programme (not that we are biased!) featuring the latest scientific research.   It will premiere tonight at 20.00 on Community Channel.  It will then be repeated several times throughout the week including a Freeview slot this Sunday.  Also, if you dont have digital television or would like to watch it online and ondemand, you can as from tomorrow 24/7.  It was featured in the Daily Mail as programme choice today as well as programme choice in the weekend supplement.
 
All the transmission times, synopsis and full length video (from tomorrow) are at www.communitychannel.org/science < http://www.communitychannel.org/science

• We are running a local support group for people with arthritis. Our meetings are open to anyone who has arthritis, some people are referred to us by the rheumatology department at Torbay Hospital and others by word of mouth. Our aim is to give support to others who have arthritis and especially to people newly diagnosed with the condition.
  We have set a date now for the next Arthritis Support Meeting.
  Thursday 4 Sept. 2008
  If you have arthritis and live near Torquay in Devon you are welcome to come along and meet up with other people who have arthritis. Contact us info@arthritisforum.org.uk and we'll give you more details about the group.
  
  
• Consultation - We are consulted with about various aspects of our health care and can offer some weight behind applications for funding bids made by the rheumatology department.
  
  
• Participation at training events - We are looking to participate in training sessions with nurses and health care workers to share first-hand experiences with hospital staff about being in hospital and about the problems we faced both during our stay and later recuperating at home.