See the full Report on Our meeting and Listen to our Guest speakers here –
Our Meeting was held on Zoom for the second time, It was a great success.
Introduction
Where we clarified some guiding principles of the group and our meetings.
Confidentiality – As a support group, we encourage all to speak openly about what issues that they face, but as such we ask everyone to respect everyone’s privacy and keep confidential any specific personal matters that are supplied during our meetings
We are not doctors – We are not medically trained or qualified, so we will never seek to advise on treatments or medical matters. Whatever advice or personal experiences are shared, everyone should always consult with their own medical and healthcare experts for the best medical care and advice.
We are not a charity – We are not a registered charity, we handle no money, we have no money. We are just people helping people. Where we require money to fund leaflets or posters, we approach local companies for them to buy on our behalf.
Positive Only – We are a support group, with the emphasis being upon support, so we encourage everyone to seek the positive in what we discuss, in our members situations and our overall attitude to our mutual challenges. Let us always try to find solutions rather than be dragged down by the problems, and let us always give encouragement and hope to each other.
Tolerance & Friendship – The group is for everyone, and we can all seek different things from belonging to this group, but at the very least I hope we will all find some degree of friendship and comfort from meeting and knowing our fellow members. Let us all be tolerant of differences and respect that balance disorders come in many flavours and affect any person in any walk of life and at any age – so we of all groups, should acknowledge and celebrate the variety and differences in our members.
Charity Support – The group is supported by the Menieres Society and VeDA as an official support group listed by both of their web sites. We support both charities in their good work for all things related to balance issues. We have agreed to abide by their own good and common-sense guidance for support groups and we will encourage members to consider membership of either charity and sharing of member contact details with both at future meetings. Fund raising ideas on their behalf will also be discussed going forward. [See Our Friends section for details and links for both charities]
Guest Expert Speaker – Prof Peter Rea 
Prof Peter Rea MA BM BCh (Oxon) FRCS (England) FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon
The Presentation was –
An update on our current capabilities for balance sufferers care, and plans to get back to more normal care
Click Here to View the meeting on YouTube
Or
Click Here to View the meeting on FaceBook
Prof Rea began his medical training at the University of Cambridge, graduating with first-class honours before moving to Oxford to complete his early medical qualifications. His specialist training in ENT surgery was spent in the major London teaching hospitals, including the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Great Ormond Street Hospital. He has also undertaken prestigious “fellowship” training in Australia and the USA. Prof. Rea runs regular clinics for general ENT conditions in both children and adults.
His specialist practice for both ear surgery and dizziness draws patients from all over the UK and further afield. Prof. Rea is Lead Clinician at The Leicester Balance Centre. He has a state of the art balance investigation suite at The London Road Clinic, along with a dedicated and experienced team. Prof. Rea is also President of the British Society of Otology
Other details covered in our meeting
Members Questions
Many Members were able to ask Prof Rea questions relevant to their own circumstances, and Prof Reas’ general advice was well received by all.
It’s OK to talk about Balance Problems
With so much focus upon the horrors of the pandemic, many people have felt it may be inappropriate to talk of other medical challenges and personal problems. Our support group takes the stand that it is OK to talk about your balance issues and challenges. This in no way detracts from the pandemic or the problems and tragedies this is causing. It is not a game of top trumps and an even bigger global health problem does not make your own daily challenge of standing up or being able to watch the TV any less of a problem. So lets make sure we still keep talking about balance.
London Road Clinic – open for video consultations
Caren Hodgson – Practice manager of London Rd Clinic Leicester, and a keen supporter of our group (and normally supplier of cakes at our physical meetings !) supplied the following contact details for their ENT consultants during the lock down phase.
The following ENT Consultants are available for virtual (telephone) consultations during this crisis. These consultations will be fitted in around their NHS commitments.
Peter Conboy : 0116 2653660 George Murty : 0116 2388140 Peter Rea : 0116 2729029 or 07423 573519 or gillian.bowler@spirehealthcare.com Anil Banerjee : 01455 822322
You can contact the consultants’ private secretaries on the numbers above to schedule a virtual new consultation or follow up consultation.
For therapists: Andrew Clements (Vestibular Therapist) – 07747001959 Judith Rogers (Speech & Language) – judith@stamfordrogers.net
Well done and thank you to all members and guests who made it to the meeting – your involvement is what makes each meeting so special and rewarding for all.
Please come and join us if you feel we can help and don’t wish to face your challenges alone. You are very very welcome.
