Farm News
Number 15 May 2010
Keep dehydration
at bay From the Chair
As we are constantly being
reminded, dehydration is an issue
for many people with MS and
drinking plenty of liquids is
important for our health and well-
N ow that Spring has finally sprung and (here’s
hoping!) Summer is on the way, our thoughts
turn to outdoor pursuits, particularly those of a
fundraising nature. I hope you will feel enthused by our
Community Fundraising programme (see inside pages)
being. A useful source of products and particularly Sue Freedman’s offer to help members Ann Stangar
to help people who find it difficult and friends with ideas for money-raising events big and
to drink unaided is the Drinkup small to help keep our finances on track in these difficult times.
range, supplied by Adret Gibs Ltd in Meanwhile, and following the General Election, the Tory/Lib Dem
Cheshunt, Herts. Top of the range is coalition has published its plans for health and social care. The most
the Drinkup Handsfree system, obvious impact could be on GP services following the pledge to promise
which enables people with limited people choice on which GP they can sign up with instead of the present
mobility to drink without assistance system of limited options within a specific catchment area. This will
from almost any household cup, probably have to be approved by the British Medical Association but if
mug, glass, drinks the government gets its way, it would solve the problem of people
can or NHS type feeling stuck with their family GP or local practice. However as most
jug. people will want to register with doctors close to home, there may not
At £111.63, the actually be that wide a range of options. Also, what happens when lists
system is not get full? Nevertheless, the idea is proving popular with patient groups so
cheap but it could it will be interesting to see how it pans out.
provide a solution On the subject of social care, the situation is much less clear-cut. The
for people with Government has said it believes that the system of social care needs
urgent reform to provide more control to individuals and their carers
limited mobility
and to ease the burden of cost they and their families face. They
and poor manual dexterity.
propose to set up a commission on long-term care to report within a
The company also supplies a wide
year. It will consider a range of ideas including a voluntary insurance
selection of other products,
scheme to protect the assets of people who go into residential care, and
including the Suresip Range of Non
a partnership scheme, as outlined in the King’s Fund report by Sir Derek
Spill Cups & Beakers; the Drinkup
Wanless, whereby the costs of long-term care are shared between the
Travel Lite, which attaches to a
individual and the state.
wheelchair, powerchair or bed
Turning to matters nearer to home, the season of Annual General
frame and converts tube-fed
Meetings is upon us. I recently attended the MS National Therapy
hydration bladders and bottles to
Centres AGM in Milton Keynes, at which there were excellent
totally hands-free use; and the
presentations on how clinical trials are set up, and on the work of the
Camelbak range of products
MS Tissue Bank at Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital. The near
including a variety of inexpensive
completion of the work on our own database was also widely
bottles and personal hydration welcomed, with Malcolm Anning in attendance demonstrating the range
systems. of features and possibilities that are on offer. We are immensely grateful
For further information, check to Malcolm and Trustee Hasit Bakhda for sorting out our IT setup and
out the manufacturer's website at: putting this system in place with such skill and generosity.
www.drinkup.uk.com or contact Finally, I do hope as many of you as possible will be able to come to
Consumer Services, Adret Gibs Ltd, our own AGM at 12 noon on Sunday 13 June at the Centre. It will be
Unit 6 Dacre Estate, Fieldings Road, followed by our annual barbecue, a chance to review the past year’s
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN8 9TJ work, look to the future, socialise with friends and compare notes with
Telephone:01992 632347. fellow members.
HARROW MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THERAPY CENTRE