Annual General Meeting 2019 Review

This year our AGM was a little later than usual and was held in September. However it proved a popular meeting with may familiar faces but we always have room for more (just about!!) Its lovely to hear that certain ‘buzz’ when people meet up with old friends and colleagues and there certainly was a buzz again this year.

We have been increasingly aware that many of the patients come into PBL suffering from dementia in one form or another and we felt that this was a perfect opportunity to learn more about it. We heard from Liz Yaxley , Dementia Services Manager at The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, who gave us a fascinating talk on Dementia. She told us that many of us may find ourselves close to such a problem in our own families and with our friends and how we should be aware of matching our behaviour to their specific and individual needs of each person. Liz gave us wonderful illustrations of just how proper management and understanding can change the living experience of people with dementia and was delighted that The Support Group had just funded a vital educational post at PBL which Liz will supervise.

We also heard from our talented Tracey Dryhurst , Head of Psychological Services at PBL . Tracey is such a charismatic speaker and again enthralled us with her talk about Wellbeing and how to achieve and sustain it within a Palliative care context.

Lastly we were thrilled that this years Lady Bacon award for outstanding contribution to Palliative Care was awarded to Ruth Donerly Bond. Ruth has raised so much for the Support Group over the years and run the PBL Fest for the last 2 years. She has transferred her skills to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to become part of their palliative Care Team but promises to still raise funds for us. It was a joy to see Lady Bacon give her the award.