If you have used either the outpatient cardiac services or been an inpatient under cardiology or cardiac surgery in Brighton you can join the Cardiac Patients Improvements Group (CPIG) for free. The CPIG meets every 3 months, next meeting Monday 15th May 5pm to 6.30pm at Sussex House, KempTown, with guest speaker Kay Hyde RGN, RM, CMS, Msc Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service (CRS) who runs our Royal Sussex County Hospital's CRS and will update on the exciting developments in the CRS and Phase Three programme.
Nurse Consultant Cardiology Sarah Young is Chair of Brighton-based CPIG and she answers some questions below:
So, who is Sarah Young?
I am a senior cardiac nurse in the Sussex Cardiac Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
When and why did you start CPIG?
We started over 12 years ago to involve our patients in the services the hospital's cardiac department delivers.
What does CPIG do?
We meet every 3 months. The key word is IMPROVEMENTS: our agenda is a mixture of items, including
• airing concerns and bringing them to the attention of the relevant department heads, so that changes for the better happen.
• discussing topics with patients to gain their opinions.
• enhancing on-ward services e.g. volunteer visits, provision of reading matter.
• writing, reviewing and updating patient information.
• progress reports from our members about their projects.
• guest speakers – specialist staff from across the hospital – talk about their work.
Why does CPIG need more members?
Covid and lockdown have taken their toll. We are a small group: although our regular members are very committed, it is good to involve new people with fresh ideas, and who will have had their own experiences of our cardiac services. And more members mean we can take on and delegate extra tasks.
Who can join CPIG?
If you have used either our outpatient cardiac services or been an inpatient under cardiology or cardiac surgery in Brighton, we would love to hear from you. We have disabled access, and accompanying carers are also welcome. Signing available on request.
What are the benefits of being a CPIG member?
• Free membership is voluntary; you feel rewarded because you know your feedback and input today will eventually help many other patients in the future.
• Use of the hospital's Emerton Library would cost you, as a member of the public, £90: but is FREE to us CPIG members.
When and where will CPIG meet in 2023?
We meet 5pm to 6.30pm in the Ground Floor Lecture Room, Sussex House, Abbey Road, Royal Sussex County Hospital, KempTown, Brighton, BN2 1ES (corner of St Georges Road) on:
Mon 15th May
Weds 16th August
Mon 13th November
You can dip your toes in the water: attend a taster session.
How do I book a taster session?
Please contact CPIG Chair Sarah Young, Nurse Consultant Cardiology
01273 696955 ext 67850, or email sarah.young10@nhs.net
When you arrive, please ask for Jack or Sarah.
Parking is difficult and expensive in and near the hospital. In practice, many hospital visitors use local supermarkets' carparks (e.g. ASDA Marina, Morrisons KempTown, LIDL Whitehawk) and walk or take buses to us.
Bus Services are frequent along Eastern Road, St Georges Road and Marine Parade. See bus company website for details or phone them on 01273 886200.
For more What's On around Newhaven; Peacehaven; Telscombe Cliffs; Saltdean; Rottingdean; Ovingdean; Brighton Marina; and Kemptown go to www.shoreliners.co.uk/whats-on