At a recent Bishops Hull Hub café, I met up with local resident Richard Holland. There was nothing unusual about that, as I’m sure you’ll remember it was Richard who gave up so much of his time drawing up the plans and sourcing the grant funding needed to enable the building of our amazing community facility.
On this occasion, however, he was at the Bishop’s Hull Hub as a representative of the Exeter and District Kidney Patients’ Association, providing peer support and information on kidney disease, and explaining the work of the KPA in supporting all kidney patients across Somerset and Devon.
In their own words, this is what the Exeter & District Kidney Patients’ Association do:-
* Provide emergency financial help; very often related to the loss of employment and a need for financial assistance until benefits kick in.
* Provide access to a dedicated specialist member of staff at the Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau, who can advise on all benefits available to dialysis patients and help with form filling.
* Provide funding for emergency transport fares to allow patients in need of transport, to attend essential non-routine hospital appointments.
* Helpline – we operate a confidential helpline for patients with queries, concerns and needs.
* Peer Support – is offered by a handful of patients sharing both understanding and moral support
* Enable patients to socialise through WhatsApp groups and supporting events related to kidney patients, such as the Transplant Games.
* Purchase numerous TV sets and remote controls for inpatients of hospital wards and satellite dialysis units.
* Provide funding for the installation of home drainage systems for peritoneal dialysis patients, to avoid the need to dispose of heavy overnight waste drainage bags.
* Provide various supplies for patients which can no longer be funded by the NHS, for example blood pressure monitors, trolleys for PD machines, bunkers for medical supplies
* Even supply biscuits with the tea rounds for regular dialysis in patients
For further information contact: The Secretary EDKPA, Joanne Robbins. Tel 07715 601531 or Email admin@edkpa.org.uk
Take care everyone,
John
