Marina Townend, Specialist Occupational Therapist/Team Lead, of the ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-Covid Syndrome services, joined us again at the Social Group’s meeting in July.  At that time, Marina confirmed the details of the ME/CFS and Post-Covid Syndrome services therapists.
 
• Marina Townend, Specialist Occupational Therapist Team Lead ME/CFS Service (5 days/week).
• Sara Young (Occupational Therapist) Long Covid Clinical Lead.  (4 days/week).
• Helen Ayres (Psychologist) ME/CFS & Long Covid teams  (3 days / week)
• Ceri Howell, (Therapy Assistant) ME/CFS & Long Covid teams  (5 days / week).
• Mya Krishnan, (Clinical Psychologist), ME/CFS teams  (2 days/week). 
• Nikki Mills, (Physiotherapist), Long Covid team (1.5 days/week)
• Carrie Garrett, (Speech & Language Therapist, Long Covid team (1 session/month).
 
Information from the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust website, includes - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) :-
The main aspect of our treatment is our Lifestyle Management group programme, held over 9 sessions.  It offers patients the opportunity to learn more about the ways in which they can manage their condition, with the aim of improving functional independence and quality of life.
Following discharge
The Recovery and Management (RaM) group is run on a bimonthly basis. It is open to anybody who has previously received treatment from our service and has now been discharged.  The group aims to provide individuals with a feeling of connection, and an avenue to access support for their ME/CFS, without having to be re-referred to the service.

The topic at a recent RaM group meeting was - “Looking to the future of the RaM group”, and a member of the Recovery and Management (RaM) group recently shared the following information :-
It was a brainstorming meeting about how we wanted the RaM group and meetings to proceed.  Marina is keen to keep it going.  We all said how much we appreciate it and there was a lot of positive input as to how it could move forward.
Possibly alternate face to face/zoom meetings, some speakers, some swapping info and ideas and learning from one another, etc.  Plus also, maybe an online forum of some kind.
One suggestion was having some kind of "working" group" to progress these ideas and volunteers have been requested, so we'll see how that goes.

Have you been to any of the RaM Group meetings?  Share your thoughts by contacting the social group
 
Our Group’s blogs of 15 April, 9 March, and 7 January give information received from Marina Townend, Specialist Occupational Therapist/ Team Lead, of the Worcestershire & Herefordshire ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-Covid Syndrome services.  Marina has been updating us on the situation at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS ME/CFS Local Services, and responding to our queries.

•  Hereford  •  Local News  •  N.H.S. 
•  Worcestershire  •  Worcestershire M.E. Social Group

Covid Autumn Booster Vaccine 2023; & Flu Vaccine Information (2023-24).
See the Full Articles and Medical Disclaimers from the MEA and Dr Charles Shepherd.
 
The ME Association: Covid Autumn Booster Vaccine Information (2023)
September 6, 2023
 
Even though Covid-19 hasn't gone away, many people have been slowly returning to normal or near normal life.  At the moment the level of infection remains fairly low.  However, there are signs that we could be heading for another more significant wave of infection over the coming months.  There are also new variants of the virus appearing that are causing concern.
 
The MEA article includes information on the following topics.
Vaccine eligibility - ( the DHSC list of people who are automatically eligible):.
ME/CFS eligibility -  (This includes - “We have produced a Template letter that you can use when speaking with a GP if you aren’t called for a Booster vaccine automatically and decide to try and get one”).
Should I have a Covid Booster?
Feedback
 
Plus, message from Dr Charles Shepherd, Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser, The ME Association -
On a personal basis I have had 4 Covid vaccinations without any problems. I had the Pfizer Autumn Booster last year which was followed by a fairly severe adverse reaction - a red swollen leg that was probably the result of a vasculitis.
“Having had 4 vaccinations without any problem I am probably going to go ahead and have an autumn booster but not with the Pfizer vaccine.  However, other Trustees and staff members with ME/CFS have had different experiences with the Covid vaccines and Boosters and may not make the same decision as me.
“It became quickly apparent from the large number of reported experiences that we received last year, and which we continue to receive, that people’s reactions or non-reactions are very mixed, and that no clear determination or recommendation can be made in regard to ME/CFS. Therefore, it is very much a personal decision.”
Dr Charles Shepherd.
 
 
The ME Association: Flu Vaccination Information (2023-24)
September 6, 2023
 
Each year, seasonal Flu affects hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. In most cases the virus causes mild illness that doesn’t require medical attention or hospitalisation. For certain people in high-risk groups, however, catching the Flu can lead to life-threatening complications.
 
The MEA article includes information on the following topics.

• Introduction.
• Catching the Flu.
• Protecting against the Flu.
  
• Cautionary Notes.
• Who can have the Free NHS Flu vaccine?
• Can I have the Free NHS Flu vaccine if I have ME/CFS?  (this includes  - “we have produced a Template letter that you can use when speaking with a GP if you have ME/CFS and decide to try and get a Free Flu vaccine on the NHS”).

• Possible vaccine side-effects.
• When to get the Flu vaccine.
• Where to get the Flu vaccine.
  
• Can I have the Free NHS Flu vaccine and Autumn Covid Booster together?
• Pneumonia and Shingles vaccinations.
• Feedback.
  

•  Coronavirus (COVID 19)  •  M.E. Association  •  N.H.S.

Please join us, at our Afternoon Café Meeting on Wednesday, 13 September, from 2.00 - 3.30 pm, in the Next Café, above the Next store at the Elgar Retail Park, Blackpole, Worcester, WR3 8HP.  (There is a lift and escalator in the store, plus plenty of parking, including blue badge spaces near the main entrance.)  
 
All people with M.E., CFS, FMS, Long Covid, and their carers, friends and relatives, are welcome at all Worcestershire M.E. Social Group gatherings - please join us whenever it suits you.
 
Future Afternoon Café Meetings for this year will also be on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at the Next Café.  Our recent Worcester Afternoon Café Meetings blog, gives future dates, and further information. 
 
Also, our recent The Worcestershire M.E. Social Group’s Future Meetings.  Where would you like to meet? blog, asks for your timing and location preferences and suggestions.
 
Watch this website for future announcements.

•  Local News  •  Meetings  •  Worcestershire  •  Worcestershire M.E. Social Group