A website for people with HIV at The Courtyard Clinic
St. George's Healthcare Trust, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London, SW17 0QT. Tel: 020 8725 3353
This web site is for the patients of The Courtyard Clinic who have HIV. Its purpose is to be an informative central hub by providing useful information featuring news and events to users of the Courtyard Clinic. We're hoping that it will be a helpful way of providing the latest news and information for those who are not able to attend forums and meetings. We are keen that this home page will act as a bulletin board of any latest and breaking news.
DO YOU WANT TO BE EMAILED ABOUT THIS WEBSITE?
The steering group have suggested that some people may find it helpful to be emailed when new information becomes available on the website.
If you would like to be emailed when changes are made to the website, please provide Wayne with your email address and it will be added to the list of emails that is already held.
PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT NO EMAIL ADDRESSES WILL BE GIVEN TO ANYONE OR POSTED ANYWHERE ELSE, NOR SOLD OR USED IN ANY WAY. Security and privacy is so important that we do not require any other information from you, just an email address!
If you would like to trial the idea and later decide to opt out, a quick email (from your registered email address) to the website requesting to be excluded is all that is needed and you will no longer be notified.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
FROM CYCinfo.net
14 December 2011
8 December 2011
19 October 2011
29 September 2011
13 September 2011
15 April 2011
Here's a very useful
website created by the University of Liverpool. Rumoured that our own pharmacy staff use this very website for their drug interaction enquiries, it features a user-interactive database of totally free and up to date information relating to the interactions that can occur between medication and anti-HIV 
drugs.
Click on the university's logo to have a go!
Have you got an iPhone? Then, try the App... it's completely free...
23 November 2010
Are you a gay man and have you recently been diagnosed HIV positive, or are you still coming to terms with your diagnosis?
25 June 2010
For those who attended a patients forum at the clinic last year, you will be aware of the magnificent work of Dr. Melanie Rosenvinge who helped to make a documentary about the Positive Ladies Soccer Club in Zimbabwe. All of us at the forum wanted a copy of the documentary and now it's available to order.
1 April 2010
Living Well’s Life Clubs service is designed to complement and support our growing range of services aimed at improving participants' general health and well being.
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE HOME DELIVERY SERVICE.
You can email us and your story will be included with the others.
We're getting Pharmacy to put together some interesting reasons why the home delivery service is proving advantageous for some patients. In the meantime here's some personal stories from those already using the service. Their views and opinions may be useful for the those who have been contemplating using the home delivery service and help them make up their mind.
It's official - there were no fewer than 73 attendees of this year's Christmas party. Thanks to everyone who turned up and we hope that you all enjoyed yourselves. If you were there - please leave us a message with a few words of what you thought. We would like to create a testimonial page of your comments and compliments.
<< Click here to leave a message >>
If this link does not take to your email account, please email to wayne@cycinfo.net.
<< Click here to see more about what went on at the party >>
8 December 2011
A new staff profile has emerged. It may have taken just over a year but it was worth it. Our Dr. Phillip Hay has provided us with a more personal side of him. We find out that he's been with the Courtyard Clinic for 20 years, what car he drives, mobile phone he uses and an insight about his home life. Click or tap on Dr. Phil for the staff profiles page.
19 October 2011
The most recent patient forum was yet another really interesting night out. This time, the food was fresh hot curry (not too spicy) from a trusted local Indian take away. Fresh fruit and cakes were provided freely too. A wonderful start to a pleasant evening that moved on from the general clinic waiting area to the conference room. With about 20 service users as the audience, our slick and professional as ever Andy hosted the evening and introduced us to Garry Brough from THT, who provided us with a great tour of a new website that has it all. www.myhiv.org.uk. Pages of text and videos all about living with hiv, hiv+ people talk of their experiences, guides around healthcare, your diagnosis, relationships, treatments and the science of hiv. Disclosure, your rights and lots more including an interactive section to display your results graphically and even a reminder service for those forgetful appointments and more. Next up was Nicola from pharmacy who introduced us to the new Boots collection service, a service available for those you may prefer to collect their medication from a nearby branch of Boots instead of having them delivered or picking them up from the clinic's pharmacy department. 
Catherine Howland from BMS (Bristol-Myers-Squibb)) provided us with a tour around another new website, www.yourstoryyourscript.co.uk. A website that is dedicated to helping people get the best out of anti-HIV treatment. They provide relevant information on medication and help you communicate and work well with healthcare professionals. Finally, our very own Dr Mark Pakianathan gave us an insight on the finances behind the Courtyard Clinic and a reminder on the benefits of self-care and how this can save the clinic money.
Were you there? What did you think of it? Let us know here.
Were you not able to attend or did not want to come along? PLEASE let us know why here.
29 September 2011
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This evening, Thursday 29 September, a few of us from the steering group went with Bernard and Mark to receive a special achievement award for outstanding service and contribution. The presentation was at the Trust's Annual General Meeting.
Thank you Bernard for nominating us.
Click on the certificate for a larger version.
13 September 2011
MORE BOOTS STORES HAVE BEEN ADDED
<< Click here for the full list >>
The home delivery service has been successful and many are enjoying the benefits of home delivery but for some patients, collecting their medications from a Boots store has proved more convenient. Whether it is a branch near to your home or work, our pharmacy are trying to get as many Boots stores on the 'collect from Boots' service as possible. The following branches have now been added:
Paddington, Uxbridge, Ealing, Charlton, Walworth Road SE5, Lewisham SE15, Lambeth SE1, Tooting SW17 and Sutton SM1
<< Click here to go to the Pharmacy news >>
3 August 2011
The new Boots Collection service which is now being offered via Central Homecare - our second provider for home delivery, is now up and running. Of course, “Boots collection” isn’t actually home delivery but has the advantage that you can pick up your medicines at specific Boots stores at hours when our pharmacy would not be open, for example at weekends and late hours.
Advantages:
- Choose which Boots store you wish to pick up from
- Late opening
- Weekend opening
- No need to stay at home for a delivery
- Confidential – only hospital number and date of birth needed to collect medication
- Still saves the NHS costs that can be re-invested into services
Disadvantages:
- Limited range of Boots stores at the moment: Selected Central London stores currently.
Which Boots stores are currently providing this service?
How does it work?
You will be given a Boots ID card, with your hospital number and date of birth on it. Queue at the Boots dispensary prescription counter and give your Boots ID card to the counter staff. The medication should be retrieved promptly. You do not need to sign anything to say you have received medicines as the staff at Boots will do this. Your card will be returned to you. The service is confidential and you will not receive clinical advice from Boots staff about your medication. If you do require this you should contact the clinic pharmacy. You can only collect medication if you have your Boots ID card with you.
How can I join?
As long as you are eligible for home delivery you should be eligible for Boots collection. Speak to a member of pharmacy staff if you are interested in this service. It may be necessary to get you to sign a new registration form and to check that we have your current address and contact details. You will be given a Boots ID card and we will ask you which store from a selected list you would prefer to collect your medication from. Remember that it is important to tell us and the home delivery company if your contact details change as soon as possible.
15 June 2011
The Patients Forum on the 15th June this year was another glorious success. For this particular gathering, the 'forum' was exactly that! A group of patients and a few members of staff from the clinic, all sat together, enjoying each other's stories, experiences and revelations surrounding HIV and in particular, for this meeting's topic: 'Disclosure.' Click here for a briefing on what went on.
I've also designed a page that answers some of the more common questions around Patient's Forums. Click here to go to the Patients Forums - Q&A.
15 April 2011
Here's a very useful
website created by the University of Liverpool. Rumoured that our own pharmacy staff use this very website for their drug interaction enquiries, it features a user-interactive database of totally free and up to date information relating to the interactions that can occur between medication and anti-HIV drugs.
Click on the university's logo to have a go!Have you got an iPhone? Then, try the App... it's completely free...
Please contact the clinic or speak with your consultant if you have any queries after obtaining any information that you may be unsure of.
17 March 2011
As I trawl the internet from day to day, I occasionally find hope, inspiration and comfort in the wonderfully written text or from videos on places like YouTube. This video still leaves me with the hairs on my arms raised and a warm positive feeling every time I watch it. If you've got the time, spend a few minutes watching this amazing compilation of busker'ing from around the world... at its best! My favourite without a doubt is Grandpa Elliott from New Orleans, Louisiana (pictured left, click for the video, or here).
16 March 2011
For those who attended the Patient Forum in March 2011, there was much to be learned: Dr. Mark Pakianathan gave a talk on HIV And The Heart, Dietician Helen Tate's talk on Eating For A Healthy Heart taught us which foods were good and the bad ones and how to help lower cholesterol, Nurse Claire McCormick talked about the latest Annual Health Assessments that are being carried out in the clinic which is gathering and monitoring statistical information about the patients who attend the Courtyard. Next up were Sam and Thien from Central YMCA, Tottenham Court Road. They run a 12 week programme, Positive Health. They included a few light exercises which involved all of us joining in (And from this talk came the available Keep Fit For Life classes). The evening's host was the very capable Andy and the healthy food was provided by Sainsbury's.
23 November 2010
Are you a gay man and have you recently been diagnosed HIV positive, or are you still coming to terms with your diagnosis?
At THT's Newly Diagnosed Group, you can learn new skills to stay fit and well in the future and find support with other men in a safe, friendly environment.
For more information or to book a place, please contact Bernard on 020 8725 3342 or email him at: bernard.kelly@stgeorges.nhs.uk or speak to one of the health advisers at the Courtyard Clinic.
25 June 2010
For those who attended a patients forum at the clinic last year, you will be aware of the magnificent work of Dr. Melanie Rosenvinge who helped to make a documentary about the Positive Ladies Soccer Club in Zimbabwe. All of us at the forum wanted a copy of the documentary and now it's available to order.
"I just wanted to let you know that the documentary that I helped make in Zimbabwe is now available for free from MSF. It's just a question of registering for it on the MSF web site: http://www.msf.org.uk/positive. I seem to remember a few of the patients being interested in getting a copy after the patient forum. I did try and give out a few but there may be more people interested. Thanks Mel "
1 April 2010
Living Well’s Life Clubs service is designed to complement and support our growing range of services aimed at improving participants' general health and well being.
Life Clubs enhance participants’ ability to make informed decisions in relation to their general and sexual health by improving their self-management skills; increasing their self-confidence, self-respect and sense of worth; and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to make educated decisions with regard to sex and relationships. Participants who complete a Life Club should be more confident, more motivated and better able to make healthy choices in every aspect of their lives.
<< CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION >>
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE HOME DELIVERY SERVICE.
You can email us and your story will be included with the others.
We're getting Pharmacy to put together some interesting reasons why the home delivery service is proving advantageous for some patients. In the meantime here's some personal stories from those already using the service. Their views and opinions may be useful for the those who have been contemplating using the home delivery service and help them make up their mind.
<< CLICK HERE FOR HOME DELIVERY STORIES >>
Our fun staff profiles section started back in October 2009 with Health Advisor Bernard Kelly. The following month Clinic Leader and Consultant Physician Mark Pakianathan joined the fun and then Helen Webb, Clinical Nurse Specialist. We're still waiting for others to join in but nothing since December, 2009. PAH!
FACIAL LIPOATROPHY - a fat wasting from the face. This is associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV positive patients. Newfill has been regarded as a life-changing treatment for people suffering with HIV related facial lipoatrophy. If you would like to more, then speak with your consultant or a health adviser for more information.