In attendance:
SLT Team: Elizabeth and Katie
Visitor: Laura-Jane
Welcome and Introductions
Welcome and thank you to everyone able to attend. Apologies from other members.
Previous Minutes
Elizabeth went through the previous meeting minutes regarding the permanent venue of the Liverpool Library, fundraising events and organising a ‘buddy’ system at Aintree.
Feedback from SLT Team
The “buddy” system to support new laryngectomy patients at Aintree hospital is currently in process of setting up a job application, role description and vacancy through TRAC (recruitment process) which those interested, will be invited to apply formally. We will inform everyone with any updates.
Also, Catherine Durr ATOS rep is leaving and a new rep with be appointed.
Laura-Jane a head and neck Speech Therapist from Sunderland joined us for the meeting to discuss the 3 years research she is conducting into supporting GPS and district nurses through a training package in caring for laryngectomy patients in the community. If anyone is interested in working with Laura-Jane to create a broad understanding to what works and doesn’t work well for laryngectomy patients in the community, please let us know and we will forward on your contact details.
As you are aware the group was set up in June 2023 following new investment in Speech and Language Therapy. The funding was initially for 2 years and should have ended in March 2024. Thankfully the funding has been extended for a further 12 months by MacMillan. We now have 12 months to complete the evaluation of the project aiming to secure permanent funding of the posts. To evaluate the impact the group has made to those who attend a Liverpool Larrys feedback form was handed out, thank you everyone for completing it.
Committee Members Update
Steve is towards the end of setting up a bank account, just final actions which must take place before the account becomes official.
Website updates
Derek has been creating a newsletter with updates of the group which will be launched soon on the website.
Fundraising
Not long to go for Elizabeth who is running the London marathon on 21/04/2024 to raise money for the Liverpool Larry’s. If anyone would like to make a donation, please find the QR code below or by using the sponsorship forms provided.
In March Katie and Natalie held a bake and gift sale, raising £220 for the Liverpool Larry’s!
Celebratory lunch
We discussed having a lunch to celebrate a year of the Liverpool Larrys. The idea of having a quiet space with a long-time frame of table booking, maybe a buffet or individual plates. Adam to enquire about booking So Salsa on Castle Street, a tapas restaurant which his son manages.
April’s meeting also involved members sharing laryngectomy tips and tricks, some of these included:
Naseptin – to help with sore skin around the stoma
Adhesive remover – to remove baseplates. Do people use or not use them and why.
Valve changes – how they find valve changes
Coughing – taking the HME out before coughing, and any sensitivity issues
Hands free HME – the advantages and negatives of the Hands free HME, changes to breathing while wearing it, personal opinions of trying it
Working – sharing feedback of returning back to work, the rewards and challenges
Outdoor activities such as playing golf- the effect of breathing when outdoors. Ensuring you are wearing the appropriate HME for that activity.
To Conclude
Thank you to everyone who attended. The next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd May 2024 at a slightly different time of 14:00- 15:30pm in the Liverpool Central Library.
Central Library
William Brown Street
Liverpool
L3 8EW
