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The Tenth meeting of the Derbyshire Chronic Pain Support Group Committee was held on Tuesday 13 July 2002, at the Guinness Trust Community Room, 1 Sidney Street, Derby.
Attendees: Mark charity (Chairperson), Steve Wilson (Vice Chairperson),
Ray Whitehurst (Treasurer), Janet Owen (Secretary),
Margaret Whitehurst (Membership Secretary), Sandra Cunningham,
Naomi Memmory, Jacklin Moss
Apologies: Eileen Hogg
Mark Charity (Chairperson) opened the meeting by welcoming, introducing and thanking everyone who attended.
Minutes from the last meeting held on 9 July 2002 were approved and signed as a true record.
1. Membership Numbers on Committee
A discussion took place on whether partners of members are classed as a member of the group. Members who wish to bring their partners and have not paid the family membership cannot take part in the meetings, as officially they are not members of the group. If everyone were to bring their partners the room would not be big enough, but if they came on the odd occasion it would be acceptable. This situation needs to be reviewed every six months. If we get too many outsiders attending we would have to say sorry and stop them from coming, we need to clamp down on this now rather than let it run on. When we decide to go on a trip or go for a meal what would be the outcome of the situation then? It would mean that some members would have to use their own cars. We are here to support the pain sufferer and the carer.
Steve said what if we give the family membership money back? If we are not careful we can get into a situation where the carer wants to help. The Chairperson was asked to put a note to every member plus alter the membership form explaining why we are doing this. They can have no argument as it has been clarified.
2. Information and Membership Booklet
Ray proposed that this be postponed until the next meeting where we just discuss the booklet, all agreed.
3. Statement of Funding and Finances
Ray reported that as this time we are £147.26 in credit.
The financial rules need to be updated whereby any expenses incurred need prior permission by committee before funds are given out. The Chairperson has a petty cash/float of £20 for small purchases, as I need the go ahead from the committee for this to proceed as it is I wish to be able to top this up when the petty cash/float goes under £5. All purchases to be explained at the next committee meeting.
4. Lobbying For Disabled Parking
Sandra went to see Disability Direct to get some information about disability parking, stickers were handed out to the members at the meeting to place on cars that were parked in disability spaces. They have a book for self help groups and organisations we can write to on the subject of disabled parking for their support. This book is published by Derby CVS, if we become a member of CVS the fee for this is £15 per year we will get a copy of the book as part of the membership package. It was agreed that we do this.
It was also discussed about the policing of the areas and Sandra wanted to know who we are going to lobby, for example Derby Evening Telegraph, Supermarkets and the Police. Why as a group do we not take it to the Government or a Solicitor and they will find out for us. Mark agreed with Steve that one thing the Government has not done is to bring in a disability parking ticket, finding out mission to clarify the situation.
There are people and organisations that we can go to with the problem of disability parking, Disability Direct, Citizens Advice Bureau; Voluntary Organisations in Derby there are hundreds. Jacklin to go to CAB to find out and get any information that is available. Steve said that if we do not find out we might lobby parliament. It was suggested that we put a message on the website that we are going to lobby for Disabled Parking, not on our site and on other websites where possible. Contact Disability Now to find out about the Baywatch campaign.
5. A.O.B.
Julie Acred replied to our letter and said that the waiting list is 26 weeks and not 35 weeks. We do not agree but unless we have specific evidence of this to throw back in their faces we cannot dispute their comments. Are the Pain Management Department going to divulge this information, Email or post Julie Acred’s letter to Denise Ward at the Pain Clinic. The Pain Clinic stated that their waiting list was 35 weeks that is over the Government required target of 26 weeks.
Ray bought up the subject of Rules of Debate we need to have these in place so the meeting can run smoothly. Most of the committee did not agree with this, as it would make the meeting too formal.
Wendy Lloyd at the last meeting said she would contact Pauline Severn about the Expert Patients Programme who runs a chronic disease self-management course. The Expert Patients Programme is a NHS project piloting the self-management course for people living with chronic disorders. Greater Derby Primary Care Trust are making plans to deliver a self-management course in the City on 12 September 2002.
Mark handed out to members of the committee leaflets and application forms for this Self-Management Course.
6. Date of Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting be held on Tuesday 3 September 2002, 10.30 a.m. at the Guinness Trust Community Room, 1 Sidney Street, Derby.
