Healthcare charity Picker invited to the launch of Meningitis Now report at the House of Commons

International healthcare charity Picker attended a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons on June 7th to discuss the findings of a major new survey that explores the long-term effects of meningitis for adults and what support provision and aftercare is wanted, needed, and received.

MPs, patrons, charity representatives, and healthcare professionals to discuss the results of the report, hear from people with lived experience, and raise awareness of the issues facing people living with the effects of Meningitis in the UK.

More than 50 people attended the event, hosted by Meningitis Now, including former Chairman of Trustees of Meningitis Now, Alistair Irvine and celebrity ambassador Lisa Snowden. The Rt. Honourable Lord Darzi of Denham welcomed guests before the CEO of Meningitis Now, Tom Nutt, revealed the striking findings from the national survey.

The report, commissioned by Meningitis Now and conducted by Picker, has shone a light on the state of aftercare for patients with meningitis in the UK. It has highlighted that an overwhelming number of patients received insufficient support after leaving hospital with most left to manage the impact of the disease alone.

The survey revealed that 94% of respondents experienced life-changing effects as a result of the disease but received little to no support after being discharged. Shockingly, only 15% of those surveyed felt they were given helpful information about meningitis from healthcare staff and less than half were offered follow-up appointments with their GP or hospital doctor.

As a result of the report, Meningitis Now is calling for MPs and healthcare professionals within the NHS to take action.

Jenny King, Chief Research Officer at Picker, said: “Thousands of people are living with the long-term effects of meningitis but lack the right aftercare and support. Raising the profile of the disease is vital to improving the care patients will receive across the UK.

“It was an honour for some of the Picker team to attend the House of Commons and help highlight this important healthcare issue to key stakeholders.

“We are pleased to have worked on this survey to highlight the reality of aftercare for patients who have suffered from meningitis. We hope the results will help to inform policy and improve the quality of care and support that all people affected by Meningitis.”

Bev Corbett, Meningitis Now’s Director of Information and Support, said: “We were delighted to be joined by so many people last night at our fantastic parliamentary reception to launch our report on the experiences and support needs of adults following meningitis. All adults who get meningitis deserve the best possible person-centred care and this report really does highlight the significant room for improvement in aftercare and support.”

Meningitis Now collaborated with Picker to try to understand the support needs and care experiences of adults across the UK leaving hospital after a recent experience of meningitis. The full report can be found here: https://www.meningitisnow.org/support-us/news-centre/public-affairs/campaigns/meningitis-follow-up-and-aftercare-report/#read-and-download-the-summary-report

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

Picker is an international charity working across health and social care. We believe in high quality person centred care for all and promote this by measuring and encouraging the use of staff and patient feedback.

If you have any other media enquiries, please contact the Marketing & Communications Manager at Picker, Lorraine Pullen – Lorraine.Pullen@pickereurope.ac.uk, or Greig Box Turnbull at Fortitude Communications – gbt@fortitudecommunications.com.