Plymouth Hospitals launches Mayflower Peer Support Group

The official launch of the Mayflower Peer Support Group took place this week.

The support service involves kidney patients helping other kidney patients who are facing similar situations. It aims to give short term practical, emotional and social support to people with chronic kidney disease, their families or carers, based on common experiences.

Peer supporters are patients under the care of the renal unit or pancreas transplant patients, who go on a training course and volunteer their time and have been trained to support others in a similar situation.

Peer Support offers an opportunity to have one-to-one chats and share personal experiences and stories, either face to face or over the telephone, with an experienced kidney patient or carer.

Linda Boorer, Nurse Consultant & Lead Nurse for the group said: “The group was initially set up to provide patients with a voice, in the development of new services and projects within the unit. Although this is still a key component, patients wanted to expand the group to provide support and advice to other patients experiencing similar situations.

“The group was formed approximately two years ago. It has taken a while for everyone to complete their training and have the appropriate checks carried out.

“Everyone has been extremely committed and I really do believe that they are inspirational. They are very supportive to one another and I believe it will be of huge benefit to patients, experiencing different forms of treatment. We now have patients sitting on a trust committee and renal unit strategy group.”

Four members of the support group were keen to share their stories and experiences.

Danni Cole

“I have been diabetic for 25 years, I was insulin dependent and also on a pump. I then became insulin resistant and two years ago, I had to have a very rare pancreas only transplant.
“When I was going through all of my treatment, there was nothing there to support patients like myself, and no one there to support my family. Even though I was told all of the facts, I wanted to talk to someone that had experienced what I was going through before. I talked about setting up a group over a coffee; I never thought it would turn into reality. I am so glad I have helped set the group up and know it will benefit so many patients.”

Howard Coats

“I have had a total of 12 years dialysis and received a transplant seven years ago. When I first started dialysis, nothing like this existed and I felt that there was no-one to reach out to. I think that this group is extremely useful and I hope that in the future, every hospital has something like it. It reaches out to various people, supporting them throughout their journey. So far, there are roughly 20 members of the group, but there is room for many more. Facing the unknown alone is terrifying, so being able to have someone there is a life-saver.”

Paul Tomlinson

“I started dialysis at the age of 56, 10 years ago now and three years on had my first transplant. Unfortunately, the transplant failed and I had to go onto dialysis for a further 18 months, before receiving my second transplant, which was four years ago now. Prior to this group, I was a patient representative for the South West Renal Forum, but I never actually dealt with patients. Now, this group does and is far more patient focused.”

Tony Gartside

“I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of seven, which I had for 32 years and unfortunately I didn’t control it very well, which caused renal failure. I started dialysis in 2011, where I tried four different types, before finding one that suited me. I was put on the waiting list to have a pancreas kidney transplant, which happened in 2012 and was a complete success.
“I love this group. It is brilliant to have people there to talk to, share any concerns that I have and to also help others. Linda is the driving force of this group, she has put everything into it and is extremely welcoming to everyone.”

Peer Support is intended to complement the care and education patients and carers receive from their kidney healthcare team. It is therefore an additional service which is available if wanted and is not a substitute for the professional team.

If you have any worries about what to do, how to deal with a situation or want to find out more about joining the group, please contact Linda Boorer on: lindaboorer@nhs.net or 01752 437145.