Supporting an Adrenal Insufficiency Study Day at UHW

What a privilege for ADSHG to be invited to attend the September Adrenal Insufficiency Study Day at University Hospital Wales (UHW), in Cardiff, this year. 

Led by Dr Andrew Lansdown, Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist & Honorary Senior Lecturer at UHW, in conjunction with the Department of Medical Education, the day was an opportunity to bring together a group of junior doctors and nurses to learn about adrenal insufficiency and how to manage it in specific scenarios such as surgery or inpatient situations.   

Earlier this year, on Addison's Disease Day (29th May) the ADSHG hosted an Awareness Stand in the lobby of the hospital, prompting the invitation to us to join the study day, to talk through how the ADSHG can offer support and resources for both patients and staff. 

Cathy Thompson, our Operations Manager, signposted to some of the key resources that the ADSHG have developed to support a full range of healthcare professionals in identifying and managing Addison's and adrenal insufficiency; from information on medic alerts, to steroid dependent wallet cards, and how best to navigate the incredible resource that is the ADSHG website.   

Chritines Walters, volunteer and trustee at the ADSHG shared a patient experience with the group, focusing on adrenal crisis management and emergency care, which had a strong impact on the listeners and highlighted the very real and life-threatening challenges that can be experienced by patients with a rare condition such as Addison's. 

Feedback from attendees:

The timing for the AI Study day couldn't have been better - just 2 days before, NICE had released their Guidelines on the Identification and Management of Adrenal Insufficiency, so everyone was able to hear, straight off the press, the latest recommendations and guidance. 

We are always striving to raise awareness of Addison's and adrenal insufficiency so the proactive approach taken by UHW was really wonderful to see, and was much appreciated by attendees.  Asked “What learning will change your practice”, comments included; 

The morning was also a fantastic opportunity for us to catch up with the UHW endocrine specialist nurses;  'friends' of the ADSHG, to hear about their ongoing research around adrenal insufficiency and the useful ways they are supporting UHW patients. 

We very much support the initiative taken by UHW to set up this Study Day, focusing on spreading awareness around adrenal insufficiency, and appreciate being asked to participate… thankyou for the opportunity.