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Group update

On the 7th April 2009 the group held a Special General Meeting at Self Help Nottingham which was attended by six people. The meeting was called for the purpose of adopting a revised constitution, the election of new officers and the adoption of an Equal Opportunities Policy and establishing a Vulnerable Adults Policy and associated procedures. From that date John becomes the Chairman, Simon the Secretary and Morgan the Treasurer.

 

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Charitable Status

On the day Tagadere launched the new Drop-In, we received notification that we had been approved to become a Registered Charity. This means that 6th May 2009 will be forever remembered for two monumental moments in the history of Tagadere.

 

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Working with Self Help Nottingham

Over the past few months we have been working with Self Help Nottingham on a capacity building exercise. This work continues unabated.

 

This has included:

  • The updating of all the group policies in line with any up-to-date changes in legislation, guided by Nottinghamshire C.V.S.
  • Under the guidance of CVS Nottingham we gained charitable status on 6/5/09
  • Identifying the skills we need to move forward
  • Working on group governance
  • Visiting other similar groups working in the East Midlands area to see how they work and how they built their organisations up. Many thanks for invaluable support and time given by - Derby Positive Support, Shield (Sheffield), Faith in people with HIV (Leicestershire)
  • Learning more about funding and how to use it effectively
  • Public liability insurance has been acquired

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Walking for Life

The Hardship Fund held their 10th annual Walking For Life ramble on Saturday 22nd August 2009. Over a dozen walkers and their dogs went along to ramble around Attenborough Nature Reserve, clocking in a grand distance of four miles. The walkers were blessed with extremely good weather and rested for a lovely picnic lunch mid-walk. The general consensus was that this year’s event was a great success. As well as a pleasant day out, monies were raised for The Hardship Fund, but the main point was that everyone had a great day. Many thanks to Armorel for her hard work in organising and promoting the event. News on the 2010 walk will be announced on this website as soon as the details are finalised.

 

Walking for Life flyer (PDF)

 

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Swine Flu Information (H1N1 Virus)

WHO WILL GET INFECTED

  • In past flu pandemics some individuals in the community escape infection entirely, some get infected and do not develop any symptoms and some do get symptoms
  • For the UK as a whole the Chief Medical Officer has suggested that up to 30% of the population will get symptoms, another 30% will be infected but not have symptoms and the remaining percentage not get infected at all.
  • Pandemics come in waves, if you didn't get infected in the last flu wave it doesn't mean you won't get hit by this one.

HOW SEVERE WILL SYMPTOMS BE?

  • Again there is a range.
  • Some HIV patients will have very few symptoms and some potentially could become quite unwell, just as with the general population.
  • Those with a low CD4 count are potentially more vulnerable.
  • Infection of the nose and throat with high fever (38.9 - 40.0C) usually lasting for three to four days. Headaches, chills and a dry cough are also common as are general muscle aches and pains. All these symptoms tend to be severe.
  • A bigger concern with HIV patients, especially those with low CD4, is with influenza infection getting down into the chest and causing a direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial infection. With these, shortness of breath develops and also a deeper cough with phlegm from deep down, rather than from the throat.

WILL TAMIFLU HELP?

  • There are actually two drugs used to combat flu. One is Tamiflu given as a tablet, the other is Relenza given as an inhaler. The second is used for pregnant women or people with kidney failure.
  • These drugs do not kill the virus like an antibiotic, they limit the spread of the virus from cell to cell in the lining of the nose and throat.
  • If someone is already getting better there is little point in starting Tamiflu.
  • If someone has a very mild illness you are more likely to get side-effects from Tamiflu than any benefits (nausea and vomiting can occur).
  • Those who really benefit from Tamiflu are those who have a definite fever or feverish symptom and commence treatment within 48 hours of symptoms.

HOW DO I GET HOLD OF TAMIFLU IF I NEED IT?

  • Tamiflu is not available at City Hospital as the campus has only supplies for inpatients
  • Therefore it is not available from any outpatient clinic. You must either:
  • Ring the National Flu Line on 0800 1513 100
  • For the hard of hearing or those with a speech impediment ring 0800 1513 200
  • Go online and follow the link to the Dept. of Health: www.direct.gov.uk
  • If you are unsure about using any of the above or do not want to reveal your status (a must if you are going to get the correct treatment) contact your GP, get advice from G.U.M. or I.D. clinics, or speak to someone at Tagadere.
  • You have to give an accurate account of your symptoms.
  • The threshold for treatment will be different if you are HIV positive and being open about this is important.
  • You should not go to collect the Tamiflu from your local collection point yourself, but get a friend to do it for you.

WILL TAMIFlU OR RELENZA INTERFERE WITH MY HIV MEDICATION?

  • The information we have to date says that it will not interfere with a full range of HIV drugs.
  • There is always the concern that if Tamiflu causes vomiting it may interrupt the intake of your HIV combination.

SHOULD I BE VACCINATED?

  • The ordinary flu vaccine does not protect against Swine Flu.
  • As it is probable that ordinary flu will rear its ugly head again this Winter those eligible (this includes HIV patients) should request the ordinary flu vaccine this year.
  • There is no vaccine for Swine Flu as yet. When it becomes available HIV patients will be eligible.
  • It is also worth checking that if your CD4 is over 200 get your pneumoccal vaccine up to date, this will help protect against a bacterial infection which might settle on the chest.

SHOULD I WEAR A FACEMASK?

  • For those who are well, when mixing with other people who are well, there is no need to wear a facemask. Life must go on as normal.
  • If someone has symptoms they should stay at home, rather than go out wearing a facemask.

SHOULD I KEEP MY CLINIC APPOINTMENT IF I AM UNWELL?

  • It is essential that you do not come into clinic and cough and sneeze over others. This goes for attending the Drop-In or any other gathering.
  • Instead phone to change your appointment If you need specialist advice phone up and discuss matters on the phone.
  • If staff deem it necessary for you to come to hospital for assessment you will be asked to wear a facemask in the presence of others and may have to sit separately in a side room.

MANY THANKS TO DR P. VENKATESAN FOR THE ABOVE ADVICE ON SWINE FLU.

 

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Tagadere Women’s Group

We are currently in the stages of organising a Tagadere Women’s Group. The Working Party have had numerous requests and suggestions from a few of our female Drop-In visitors and we glad to be progressing with the ideas which will offer a safe, women-only meeting group.

 

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Terence Higgins Trust

THT have their premises at 23 Barker Gate, Nottingham (telephone 0115 882 0121), situated at the back of the Trent FM Arena. They offer a lounge area, a clinic/counselling room, toilets with disabled access and a kitchen area. There are steps to access the building from the front, however there is ramp access at the rear. Various services are being launched including a women’s group and complimentary therapies (see calendar). Yvette has joined THT as Children and Families Worker.

 

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