There are a number of local organisations that provide valuable support to patients and relatives after a visit to hospital.
For further information, you can visit the Hounslow Borough Council web site at www.hounslow.gov.uk where you can download the Directory of Voluntary Organisations, or the Richmond Borough Council web site at www.richmond.gov.uk
The following organisations are either based at, or have regular staffed information stands at, the hospital:
Located within the hospital grounds and open to all those affected by the diagnosis of cancer - patients of all ages, their families, carers and friends - The Mulberry Centre offers access to information, advice and support within a non-clinical and welcoming environment.
The centre offers to everyone:
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A well-stocked information library
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Macmillan Cancer Information Officer
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A warm and welcoming non-clinical environment with
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Knowledgeable and experienced staff and volunteers
For those immediately affected by cancer (please call for eligibility criteria):
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Complementary therapies–aromatherapy, reflexology, shiatsu
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Relaxation Therapies – meditation, t’ai chi, yoga
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Counselling and support groups
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Welfare rights and money advice
If you would like to visit the Centre or require further information, please contact 020 8321 6300 info@themulberrycentre.co.uk, or visit their website at: www.themulberrycentre.co.uk
It has long been established that the process of rehabilitation for cardiac patients does not end with their discharge from hospital. It is vital that patients and their immediate family / carers receive on-going support and education when returning into the community and facilitation of this support is the prime objective of our group.
We meet once a month in the Education Centre, which is situated to the rear of the main hospital building, on the second Thursday of the month. Although from time to time this may change, and
notification will be sent along with our quarterly newsletter. We have varying discussions, which include: diet, exercise, new drugs and technology, infection control etc, and on the odd occasion non-medical related topics. The Specialist Nurses and Consultants from West Middlesex advise us medically and we get regular updates from The British Heart Foundation too.
Membership is free and open to all cardiac patients, carers and dependants. The opportunity to meet and talk with others who have suffered varying degrees of cardiac problems is of enormous benefit, and gives re-assurance and confidence to both patients and families alike.
We are financially self-supporting and raise funds, which go towards helping and improving cardiac patients well being. We have been able to provide the Coronary Care Unit with a television and video equipment, and the very latest BNP machine, which helps to identify patients suffering from possible heart problems via a simple blood test, with results arriving within 15 minutes and so can reduce the need for many other costly tests.
If you wish to receive our newsletter, and be included on our mailing list, then call our group secretary Ron Grant on 07903 996 623.
Visit our information desk at the hospital
This is situated in the atrium opposite the main reception desk and is staffed every Tuesday and Wednesday by volunteers with free advice and literature available
Visit our information desk at the hospital
This is situated in the atrium opposite the main reception desk, and is staffed every Tuesday between 9.30am to 12.30pm by volunteers with free advice and literature available. There is a screen holding information posters on diabetes on display in the atrium at all times.
For further details please contact David Cahill on 020 8572 8959 or email chair@diabeteshounslow.org.uk
Local Diabetes UK Voluntary Groups
The voluntary groups offer support services, hold local meetings, organise experts to come to give free lecture talks on diabetes matters, organise road shows at local fairs etc, hold socials, organise local fundraising and coordinate volunteer activities.
Diabetes UK – Hounslow Voluntary Group
Meets on the last Wednesday in January, March, May, July, September and November
at 6.30pm at the Heart of Hounslow Centre. 92 Bath Road Hounslow TW3 3EL
For further information please contact David Cahill (Chair) on 020 8572 8959
or email chair@diabeteshounslow.org.uk or visit our website at www.diabeteshounslow.org.uk
Diabetes UK – Richmond & Twickenham Voluntary Group
For further information please contact Alastair Mackinlay on 020 8941 1785 or email him at chair@DUKRT.org.uk or visit their website at www.dukrt.org.uk
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will take place on Tuesday 24th February at St Mary's Chuch Hall, Church Street, Twickenham at 7.30pm. Guest speaker is Roz Rosenblett - London Regional Manager of Diabetes UK - who will preview the new Model of Care for Diabetes, which is about to be published for London.
All are welcome.
Hounslow NHS Stop Smoking Service
The Hounslow NHS Stop Smoking Service is based at West Middlesex Hospital and offers help, support and medication to anyone who wishes to stop smoking. Our Drop-In Clinic at West Middlesex Hospital runs every Wednesday between 4.45pm and 5.45pm in Outpatient Department 2 - Chest Clinic.
For more information on times, locations and medication please call: 0845 111 01 55.
Inpatients wishing to give up smoking are visited within 48-hours by a Stop Smoking Specialist offering help, support and medication throughout the treatment.
Any Health Professional coming across patients who smoke and are ready to give up is invited to refer those patients to our Stop Smoking Service: either via referral system (see referral form below), or by giving them the Stop Smoking tear-off card (pads are distributed on wards).
West Mid staff wishing to stop smoking can contact the Occupational Health Department (Beverley ext. 6077 or Sarah ext. 5048), main Stop Smoking Service 0845 111 01 55 (for wider choice of location and time) or join our Drop-In Clinic every Wednesday, see above.
