What a really good turn out for this years AGM at the Hi Tide in Porthcawl. I have to say how impressed I was with the way the proceedings were presented by Chairman John Reever. It was a well organised meeting and everyone really enjoyed it, with people travelling from North Wales to
participate and, as John pointed out, it was a shame that more people from South Wales did not attend.
The speakers Dr Dai Lloyd AM, chair of the Renal Cross Party and Mr Chris Gibbons a Vascular Surgeon both gave very informative talks. Dr Lloyd gave a very good account of the Opt Out Scheme and how it works in other countries and Mr Gibbons with a likewise very informative, sometimes funny slide show, on how the fistulas work and the various methods used.
The Buffet was very nice and hopefully that alone will
encourage more people to attend the next AGM.
The sun shone bright on the day. Porthcawl looked at its best. It was a very lively and interesting afternoon. The official business was soon over and our guest speakers, Mr. Chris Gibbons, Vascular Surgeon, Morriston hospital and Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru A.M. and Chair of the Cross Party Renal Group, both gave interesting talks peppered with humour.
Mr Gibbons talked about the importance of timely and well planned access for dialysis. He illustrated the various types of fistulae. He described the difficulties that can occur if a patient “crashed landed” into dialysis needing an emergency “neckline” The importance of checking fistulae to ensure that they function for the optimum time, allowing for future access should it be necessary. Patients now live for a long time with renal failure, passing from dialysis to transplants and often back to dialysis a few times during their care, Mr Gibbons stressed the need to preserve access sites for this reason.
Dr Dai Lloyd spoke about the work of the Cross Party Group and of the WKPA’s long association and support of it. He explained how members of the CPG can “lobby” on behalf of patients to obtain such things as “new units”. He then spoke about opt out and the fact that Wales has asked Westminster for the power to pass a law on opt out in Wales. This would probably come to fruition in March 2011.
Mr David Ellis of Medical Services presented Mr Reever, Chair, with a cheque to sponsor the AGM, and assured the WKPA of his continuing support.
The question and answer time was lively and sometimes heated with patients and health professional exchanging frank views in particular about the proposed Patients Transport Charter. Look out for the draft charter which will be sent to all units for your comments.
Afterward tea was served, members chatted together. A warm welcome was given to Pauline Price, dialysis patient from Gwent and to Prof Salaman, our President. It was very pleasing to see these two founder members of the WKPA, and we look forward to seeing them next year.
Our friends and committee members from North Wales were there in force as usual and many thanks to them for making the long journey to support the WKPA. Photos of the afternoon can be viewed on our web site www.wkpa.org.uk
Hope to see more patients attend next year - mind you, if more come we need to hire a larger room.
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