Preston & Chorley Districts Laryngectomy Association Patient Support Group
Our support group has been supporting laryngectomy patients and their carers for many years. We have had several different 'homes' for our meetings in recent years but now meet in the wonderful 'Cancer Help Preston' base, Vine House.
Patients and carers meet monthly for mutual support, and often have health professionals, such as Speech & Language Therapists, or company reps attending to share news about the latest products that may benefit the laryngectomy patient. This often includes new hands-free valves (that allow us to speak without using our finger or thumb to occlude our stoma), or the latest HMEs (Heat Moisture Exchangers - a filter system that helps to reduce secretions).
Despite the fact that we have lost our voiceboxes, our meetings are usually full of chatter and sharing of tips and tricks of the trade - all with the aim of improving our quality of life.
In addition to supporting new patients and carers, members of the group are actively involved in educating the staff of the Royal Preston Hospital by raising awareness of neck breathers on a twice yearly education event. The feedback from health professionals is always first class.
Our new logo was recently launched - keeping the theme of our original log but bringing it into the 21st century. Expect to see it on our new information.