Coronavirus Information for Pituitary Patients
February 2020
What is novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and should I be concerned?
A coronavirus is a type of virus. It should be regarded much in the same way as ‘flu’. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Should I be doing anything to protect myself if I’m in the UK?
Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how the novel coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses spread by cough droplets.
There are things you can do to help stop germs like novel coronavirus spreading:
For adrenal insufficient patients who take replacement hydrocortisone, prednisolone or Plenadren
They should as per usual follow steroid rules, and make sure they have sufficient additional hydrocortisone supply and follow the usual steroid emergency rules, making sure the doctors looking after them are aware of this.
If patients are developing symptoms, or are concerned about contact/ travel they had, they should phone NHS111 for advice.
Public Health England - coronavirus
(updated 25 February 2020)Public Health England - coronavirus
February 2020
What is novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and should I be concerned?
A coronavirus is a type of virus. It should be regarded much in the same way as ‘flu’. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Should I be doing anything to protect myself if I’m in the UK?
Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how the novel coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses spread by cough droplets.
There are things you can do to help stop germs like novel coronavirus spreading:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
For adrenal insufficient patients who take replacement hydrocortisone, prednisolone or Plenadren
They should as per usual follow steroid rules, and make sure they have sufficient additional hydrocortisone supply and follow the usual steroid emergency rules, making sure the doctors looking after them are aware of this.
If patients are developing symptoms, or are concerned about contact/ travel they had, they should phone NHS111 for advice.
Public Health England - coronavirus
(updated 25 February 2020)Public Health England - coronavirus
Sick Day Rules Advice for Diabetes Insipidus Patients
June 2019
The Pituitary Foundation has issued a 4-page factsheet to assist D.I. patients. The factsheet can be downloaded from The Foundation's website
June 2019
The Pituitary Foundation has issued a 4-page factsheet to assist D.I. patients. The factsheet can be downloaded from The Foundation's website
Adrenal Insufficiency Wristbands
June 2019
For those of you who take replacement hydrocortisone, The Pituitary Foundation has now introduced silicone medical identitiy wristbands. They have 'Adrenal Insufficiency' on one side and 'www.pituitary.org.uk' on the other.
The wristbands are available in orange for children and purple for adults. They cost £3 and if you want one, you are urged to order soon because they are expected to sell out quickly. To order a wristband, click here.
June 2019
For those of you who take replacement hydrocortisone, The Pituitary Foundation has now introduced silicone medical identitiy wristbands. They have 'Adrenal Insufficiency' on one side and 'www.pituitary.org.uk' on the other.
The wristbands are available in orange for children and purple for adults. They cost £3 and if you want one, you are urged to order soon because they are expected to sell out quickly. To order a wristband, click here.
View your healthcare records at the QEHB
January 2019
QEHB has the facility for patients to view their healthcare information online.
Information since 2012 is included and all data is stored securely – you access the site using your secure login details.
To register for myhealth, you will need to be issued with unique registration information – this will be supplied by your consultant.
If you would like further information, please see the QEHB website
To receive the registration information from your consultant, please either ask the consultant at your next clinic visit or, alternatively, contact the Endocrine Nurses at QEHB.
The system currently only applies at QEHB – it is hoped that it will become available at Heartlands by the middle of this year.
January 2019
QEHB has the facility for patients to view their healthcare information online.
Information since 2012 is included and all data is stored securely – you access the site using your secure login details.
To register for myhealth, you will need to be issued with unique registration information – this will be supplied by your consultant.
If you would like further information, please see the QEHB website
To receive the registration information from your consultant, please either ask the consultant at your next clinic visit or, alternatively, contact the Endocrine Nurses at QEHB.
The system currently only applies at QEHB – it is hoped that it will become available at Heartlands by the middle of this year.
Results of The Pituitary Foundation's 2016 Patient Survey
January 2018
You might recall that all members of The Foundation were asked in 2016 to take part in a patient survey - well, just over 1,000 patients completed the questionnaire and the results have now been analysed. You can click here to see the relevant page on The Foundation's website.
For clarity, I have put the results into a table and this can be downloaded by clicking on the link below - I think it makes very interesting reading.
2016 Survey Table
January 2018
You might recall that all members of The Foundation were asked in 2016 to take part in a patient survey - well, just over 1,000 patients completed the questionnaire and the results have now been analysed. You can click here to see the relevant page on The Foundation's website.
For clarity, I have put the results into a table and this can be downloaded by clicking on the link below - I think it makes very interesting reading.
2016 Survey Table
Emergency Hydrocortisone Injection Kit
October 2016
Steve has produced an updated instruction sheet for preparing and giving an emergency injection. This is A5-sized and it can be folded and carried in your injection kit box.
The sheet has instructions for the two types of hydrocortisone preparations and this prints on a normal A4 page. Simply cut the sheet in half and keep the instructions which apply to your preparation.
October 2016
Steve has produced an updated instruction sheet for preparing and giving an emergency injection. This is A5-sized and it can be folded and carried in your injection kit box.
The sheet has instructions for the two types of hydrocortisone preparations and this prints on a normal A4 page. Simply cut the sheet in half and keep the instructions which apply to your preparation.
2019_kit_sheet.docx | |
File Size: | 1101 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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NHS Safety Alert on Desmopressin for DI patients in hospital
March 2016
NHS Patient Safety Alerting System: The Foundation has recently been informed about a very positive development for DI patients. The NHS has implemented a safety alerting system which should help to minimise the risks for DI patients being denied their desmopressin when in hospital. All organisations providing NHS-funded care have to implement this safety alert system by today (March 21st). Click here to download the Safety Alert in pdf format.
March 2016
NHS Patient Safety Alerting System: The Foundation has recently been informed about a very positive development for DI patients. The NHS has implemented a safety alerting system which should help to minimise the risks for DI patients being denied their desmopressin when in hospital. All organisations providing NHS-funded care have to implement this safety alert system by today (March 21st). Click here to download the Safety Alert in pdf format.
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Message in a Bottle
A simple scheme to store emergency medical info in a special marked 'bottle' kept in your refrigerator, available from Lions Club, local chemists, GPs surgeries, Age Concern, Council Offices, police stations and often from Neighbourhood Watch schemes and housing associations. For more information please contact your local Lions Club.