Welcome to the first newsletter of the Uveitis Information Group (UIG) which has been compiled by Phil Hibbert, who has Uveitis. The Group was set up earlier this year. The Consultants at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary saw the need for such a group to exist, but run by people outside the medical profession, to provide information and support for uveitis sufferers and to promote good communication and co-operation between patients and medical staff.

One of the first priorities of the group will be to reach as many people affected by Uveitis as possible. To this end, all hospitals and organisations likely to have an interest in Uveitis have been contacted. If this newsletter has somehow reached you and you haven’t received a letter and leaflets and you would like to know more about the group, then please contact the group.

Aims of the Group.

1. To provide information to people affected by Uveitis, and to people and organisations involved in the care of sufferers of Uveitis.

2. To offer support and assistance in dealing with related problems, e.g. lowvision aids, benefits, etc.,referring onto other organisations where necessary.

3. To further the understanding of Uveitis amongst all involved in Healthcare and to promote research.

4. To develop a network of contacts between sufferers of Uveitis and those involved in its treatment.

News

Especially as it is new, it is important that the group provides a means for people to share their experiences and contribute any useful information and views. This would hopefully apply to both sufferers and to those involved in the treatment and care of Uveitis sufferers.

The group would encourage people to write items for inclusion in the newsletters or just to contact the group by phone or post with their experiences, views or problems.

An important part of the group’s activities will be to have an annual meeting. This will be arranged as numbers of members grow, and a convenient venue arranged. The Shetland Isles, whilst being a splendid place, is certainly not a suitable place for a meeting!

The group was set up with funding from the charity, Saving Sight in Grampian. Fundraising from large organisations and individuals will always be important for the group. An important part of the funding of the group will be from an annual subscription. This is £5 but is free to those who can’t afford it.

I would encourage everyone to join the group and, at least, to return the membership form and/or the questionnaire so that the group can build up as much information as possible.

Getting in touch with other members

As already stated we aim to put people in touch with each other. As a new group this will take a little time to build up as numbers will be small but I’m sure will accelerate.

There are 2 main ways this can work.

1. By ticking the box on the membership form that says “Would you like us to give other members your phone no. and address ?”

2. By contacting the group and asking for your address to be included in an “address exchange”. Here any special interests or general interests may be useful to include.

The way this will work may change as the group grows but we will do our best to put people in touch with each other when they indicate that is what they would like. 

The Treatment of Uveitis. 

This article from the first newsletter is now in the patient information section. Please click here to see it.

Uveitis Information Group is a charity registered in Scotland, no. SCO28439