First UK meeting of ICD Patient Support Group
The first meeting of a young persons ICD patient support group took place in September, funded by Wessex Heartbeat. This is the first such group to be established in the UK and has been set-up by the Cardiac Rhythm Management Team at Southampton Hospital.
The Wessex wide patient support group is for people living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The group aims to help them and their families adjust to life with an ICD. Patients experience many physical and emotional barriers in adapting to living with an ICD. For example, the ICD affects many parts of lifestyle such as relationships, employment and driving.
The first meeting was held at the Foxlease centre in the heart of the New Forest. The day was a mix of education, sharing of experiences and activities, including raft building, kayaking and climbing. The group is particularly needed for young people with ICD’s, as the device is an age inappropriate treatment.
Fiona Cooke, Clinical Nurse Specialist said, “Providing an informal, social setting in which patients and their families can meet gives them the opportunity to learn more about their condition and any worries they may have. In turn, this will help patient’s emotional well-being by improving their confidence and can reduce the need for further hospital care. We are very grateful to Wessex Heartbeat and everyone who helped fund this grant.”
Funding from Wessex Heartbeat will cover the cost of general and young persons meetings throughout the year.
Southampton is one of the largest implant centres in the UK for ICD’s and has the largest patient remote follow up service for ICD’s in the country.
