NEWSPAPER:  

BUZZ
(University of Birmingham Newspaper)

Issue 68

PAGE.: Page 6

DATE:

November 2005

REPORTER: 

Ben Hill

TITLE: 

Birmingham leads the way in lupus care

The University and two affiliated hospitals have been recognised for their pioneering treatment of Lupus, be being accredited as the first UK Centre of Excellence for the treatment of the disease. The award, given by the UK’s leading Lupus charity, recognises more than fifteen years of high-quality care by specialists across the city.

The award was made to Doctor Caroline Gordon, Reader in Rheumatology at the University, at a special ceremony on October 12.

Dr Gordon set up the first dedicated Lupus clinic in the city in 1989 at the University’s Department of Rheumatology.

The clinic proved so successful in its first seven years, with more than 190 regular patients, that a decision was taken in 1996 to set up a second centre, at City Hospital. The clinics now serve more than 400 patients on a regular basis.

As the clinics have grown, so has the support for patients. Patients visiting one of the clinics today have access to kidney specialists and dermatologists. There is also an ante-natal clinic and pre-pregnancy counselling service, which helps guide patients through any problems caused by Lupus during pregnancy. A key element of the support is the care provided by Kate Peers, a dedicated Lupus nurse, whose role is funded by LUPUS UK.

Amongst the guests at the presentation was Yvonne Norton, Vice-Chair and Trustee, LUPUS UK and a Lupus sufferer herself: ”When I was diagnosed in 1975, there were no dedicated Lupus services in the West Midlands and little information both for patients and doctors. Today sees the fulfilment of a dream – a world-class Lupus Unit where medics see the patient as a whole person, not just another medical problem. I am delighted that the Birmingham Lupus Unit has become the first Centre of Excellence and I very much hope that it will become a model for other centres throughout the UK.”
 

NEWSPAPER:  

REDBRICK
(Birmingham University Newspaper)

Issue 1275
 

PAGE.: Page 3

DATE:

Wednesday, 12th October 2005

REPORTER: 

Will Hillson

TITLE: 

University super lupus

The University of Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth and City Hospitals has been designated the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for the treatment of Lupus Erythematosus, an incurable disease of the immune system.

The award was given by the country’s leading Lupus charity, LUPUS UK, for over 15 years of dedicated work in treating Lupus by the hospital. Dr Caroline Gordon of Birmingham University set up the hospital’s first Lupus clinic 16 years ago. The clinic today treats hundreds of patients.

Lupus is what is called an autoimmune disease, caused by the sufferer’s body’s defence system mistaking their own cells for invading micro-organisms. This causes chemicals called antibodies, normally produced to fight disease, to be released in abnormal forms which attack the sufferer’s internal organs.

The name Lupus Erythematosus, meaning red wolf in Latin, comes from the distinctively-shaped red rash that appears on the face of patients with the disease.

More serious symptoms include damage to the heart and kidneys.

For many years it was not widely known about or well understood, leaving sufferers few options for treatment.

The award reflects the example Birmingham has set in providing a world-class service for patients with the disease. Lupus can be treated with drugs, but this only relieves the symptoms, and cannot cure it.

At present exactly what causes Lupus is not known. As with most chronic diseases, it appears to result from many factors, some of which are genetic, since it can sometimes run in families. Because the disease affects women far more often than men, it is likely that there is a hormonal component too.

As well as treating patients, the Lupus Clinic has been actively involved in research into the causes of Lupus. The award was presented to Dr Caroline Gordon on 12th October.
 

NEWSPAPER:  

BIRMINGHAM EVENING MAIL

Birmingham Edition
 

PAGE.: Page 8

DATE:

Wednesday, 12th October 2005

REPORTER: 

Alison Dayani
Health Correspondent

TITLE: 

HEALTH: Hospitals fight against painful blood disorder

Brum heads Lupus battle

Birmingham was today being awarded a top accolade for its efforts to treat and find a cure for a painful blood disorder.

Birmingham Lupus Unit, with clinics at Birmingham University, City and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals, is now the first centre of excellence in the country for the treatment of the condition.

Charity LUPUS UK decided to award the title after patients and charity workers were impressed with more than 15 years of high quality medical care led by specialists at the University of Birmingham.

Yvonne Norton, Chair of West Midlands Lupus Group, said. “When I was diagnosed in 1975, there were no dedicated Lupus services in the region and little information both for patients and doctors. Today see the fulfilment of a dream with a world-class lupus unit where medics see the patient as a whole person, not just another medical problem.

“I am delighted that the Birmingham Lupus Unit has become the first centre of excellence and I very much hope that it will become a model for other centres throughout the UK.”

Dr Caroline Gordon, from Birmingham University’s rheumatology department, spearheaded the city’s first lupus clinic at the site in 1989.

Now sixteen years on, there are clinics across the Midlands helping more than 500 patients including ones at City and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals.

The University is also involved in pioneering research into the disease.

 

NEWSPAPER:  

EXPRESS & STAR
DUDLEY EDITION
 

PAGE.: Page 6

DATE:

Saturday, 20th August 2005

REPORTER: 

Ben Lammas

TITLE: 

Walker marks his 50th with boost for charity

A Wordsley action man is preparing for a 191 mile trek across the country – to celebrate turning 50 and raise money for charity.

Steve Waltho and his son James, aged 15, will be heading off on the walk on Monday from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire in aid of Action Heart and Lupus West Midlands.

Former Wordsley councillor Mr Waltho is no stranger to challenges having already completed a Lands End to John O’Groats bike ride as well as cycling the Pennine Way, a sponsored parachute jump, marathon snooker and table tennis events.

But far from slowing down, Mr Waltho will be marking his 50th birthday by setting off on another gruelling trek along with James, a pupil at The Crestwood School.

He said, “I have been extremely fortunate to lead a reasonably healthy life and have always gained great pleasure in raising funds for people less fortunate.

“The Coast to Coast is a challenging but spectacular walk and has been on my wish list for many years. Both charities benefit so many people in Dudley and the wider area and I will be thinking of them to overcome the inevitable twinges and blisters.”

Steve’s wife – Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho – is also backing her family’s efforts and has recently joined the All Party Parliamentary Group on Lupus and has been appointed vice-chairman of the group on heart disease.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Steve and James can contact him, on 07703 308463.
 

NEWSPAPER:  

EXPRESS & STAR
DUDLEY EDITION
 

PAGE.: Page 10

DATE:

Thursday

28th July 2005

REPORTER: 

Ben Lammas

TITLE: 

MP gives support on lupus

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho has joined an all party parliamentary group to help raise awareness of lupus.

The town’s MP has joined Dudley North MP Ian Austin and others who have stepped out in support of the West Midlands Lupus Group.

The group hopes all MPs will be given copies of the GP’s guide to diagnosis of lupus and told more about the disease, which affects more than 30,000 people in the UK.

Lupus is an auto-immune disease where the patient’s immune system attacks the person’s own body tissues. Around 90 per cent of those who suffer are women.

Anyone who wants to know more can visit a drop-in clinic being held at Dudley Guest Hospital on Friday, July 29 between 2pm and 4pm.

For details call 01902 498236 or log on to www.westmidlandslupus.co.uk

NEWSPAPER:  

EXPRESS & STAR
DUDLEY EDITION
 

PAGE.: Page 14

DATE:

Tuesday

26th July 2005

REPORTER: 

Ben Lammas

TITLE: 

Clinic offers lupus advice

People wanting to find out information about lupus, a condition in which the body attacks itself, are being invited to learn more from the experts. Dudley’s Guest Hospital in Tipton Road is staging a special drop-in clinic this Friday.

The lupus drop-in clinic will take place between 2pm and 4pm in the physiotherapy department.

Yvonne Norton, chairman of the West Midlands Lupus Group, said experts would be on hand to provide information about the condition as well as the treatments available.

Dudley Group of Hospitals registrar Dr Rob Callaghan will be speaking about the tests that patients undergo as out-patients as well as in-patients.

He will also be explaining how the results of the tests affect the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.

She added “Anyone with an interest in lupus will be welcome.”

NEWSPAPER:  

EXPRESS & STAR
DUDLEY EDITION
 

PAGE.: Page 5

DATE:

Friday,

15th April 2005

REPORTER: 

Ben Lammas

TITLE: 

Famous faces to appear at group’s charity bash

A string of famous television faces have been lined up for a West Midlands charity bash being held in aid of Lupus sufferers.

Tickets are now on sale for the West Midlands Lupus Group’s annual Celebrity Butterfly Ball.

The event is being held at The Ramada Hotel in Sutton Coldfield on May 14 and will feature a string of actors and actresses from shows such as The Bill, Casualty, Bad Girls and Life Begins.

Among those appearing will be Luke Bailey, who plays Sam Bateman in Casualty; Karl Collins, who is Danny Glaze in The Bill; Nicole Faraday from Bad Girls and Central newsreader Llewela Bailey. Guests will get the chance to bid for a string of rare items donated by the stars which will be going under the hammer.

A special star cabaret will also be staged featuring some of the best known actors and actresses from television.

Tickets cost £40, which includes a champagne reception and three-course meal and entertainment will be laid on throughout the evening.

For details visit www.westmidlandslupus.co.uk or phone 01902 498236.