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, not even your name... 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.
15 May 2012
17 May 2012
17 May 2012
17 May 2012
22 March 2012
12 March 2012
8 December 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
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.
PLEASE NOTE: The patient forum scheduled for 20 June 2012 is postponed to 18 July 2012. The steering group meeting that was to be on 18 July 2012 is now going to be one month earlier, 20 June 2012.
STEERING GROUP MEETING: 20th June 2012, 6.45pm
PATIENT FORUM: 18th July 2012, 7.00pm
17 May 2012
17 May 2012
17 May 2012
LIFE BEGINS AT 40
A work group specifically for African patients, diagnosed with HIV and aged 39 or over was trialed in April. The group learned skills on how to manage their lives more productively as well as how to stay active. It offered a safe place to explore challenges and changes that are associated with ageing. It was held at St. George’s Hospital and ran three consecutive Wednesday mornings in April, 2012.
Four Courtyard Clinic patients attended this group, run by Christabel and Michael from THT. The feedback from participants was very positive and some of the comments are listed below.
We will be meeting with THT soon to arrange more groups, so watch this space. If you have any suggestions for themes or content, please e-mail Wayne (wayne@cycinfo.net) or contact Helen at Courtyard Clinic (helen.webb@stgeorges.nhs.uk)
We asked: what is one thing you have learned from the group, the responses included:
“That life is worth living and it’s up to us to make the most of it as you only live once”
“To be positive and focus on the future”
“That HIV cannot stop me from doing the things I love doing”
Other comments included:“It has helped me to know that I am not alone, each and every one of us has had difficulties to come to terms with HIV and ageing”
“The facilitators are very open and they give you the confidence to talk in a safe place without fear of being judged and we can ask them anything we don’t know”
“I am very happy that I attended all the three sessions. They have transformed my life”
“It has really helped me to think about the future”
“Thank you very much for the superb programme. I am very happy that I took part in it. I have learnt a great deal. You certainly have bought increase and multiplication into my life. I can now walk in boldness and face the future in confidence.”
22 March 2012
Our latest patients forum was another success. Forum host Andy introduced clinic staff Helen and Bernard. We have all been invited to complete a survey at www.mycareicare.org.uk. It's a survey for London based HIV patients and is being carried out by Sigma Research. Your feedback is vital to ensure that the NHS is providing all of the services that you need and to a standard that you are pleased with. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and of course, you are able to remain completely ANONYMOUS. If you would like more information about the survey you can email Gary Hammond from Sigma Research at gary.hammond@signmaresearch or call on 020 7927 2795.
We had a talk from two representatives from the charity THT who provided us with information of a work group called Life Begins At 40. It's for African people with HIV. The best bit is that it is going to be at St. George's Hospital so don't be put off by needing to find a place in London or trekking across town! THT are also running a similar work group for gay people with HIV called Ageing With HIV. The groups gather on Wednesdays, next group starts 11 April 2012 at 10.30am and lasts for 3 hours. For more information, you can email Christabel on african.groupworks@tht.org.uk or call on 020 7812 1719.
The list
in the following link is a full list of courses and workshops that THT offer to those with HIV: THT London Services.
Next up was an actual GP, Dr. Sarah Collins. Sarah gave a talk and spoke of some of the advantages to 
disclosing your HIV status to your GP. Amongst many examples was drug interaction with antiretroviral medications. The clinic staff support discussing your HIV status with your GP and Helen mentioned that any medication for malaria could only be given by a GP. Dr Mark said that there are known cases where people have died by not getting the adequate medical attention because they have not disclosed their status to their GP and worse still, a GP has prescribed medication that has had fatal consequences when combined with certain antiretroviral med's.
Dr. Trudi Kemp lead an informative discussion about the politics of the NHS and how important patient choices were for government with regards to the future of the NHS and other private medical care services.
The hot food was once again a much welcomed and extremely tasteful chicken curry and rice (with a vegetarian curry alternative) served with pompadours and individual juice cartons. Marks and Spencer's chocolate and flapjack buckets were handed round during the speeches, ensuring a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
WERE YOU THERE? What did you think of it?
Email here with your comments, opinions or even suggestions for what we should talk about next. Perhaps you have an idea on how we can improve or maybe provide something equally as entertaining. After all, it's our forum... the patients forum... we really do get to choose! info@cycinfo.net.
WERE YOU NOT THERE? Should we know why?
We're always keen to learn why some can't make it. Are you not able to attend because you feel anxious about using public transport in the evening? Maybe the clinic can help. The Steering Group meeting members would use your feedback to suggest improvements: perhaps a mini-bus to and from the clinic on patient forum nights. Without the need, the request, the voice... it's assumed that it is simply not needed! info@cycinfo.net.
12 March 2012
This very website is 3 years old... - awe.. I'm feeling all emotional! It was originally an idea by Senior Health Advisor, Wendy Majewska. For several months the idea of a patients website was talked about in the corridors of the Courtyard Clinic and then with a final push and a kick, we went for it! A website for the patients of the Courtyard Clinic was born and went live on 12 March 2009.
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.
29 September 2011
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
On Thursday 29 September 2011, 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.
The certificate now takes pride of place on the wall in the waiting room.
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 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).
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.