MRF's Impact of Meningitis report can be found in the latest issue of Microscope and on-site here. Its findings show there needs to be a significant improvement in the way people affected by meningitis and septicaemia receive medical attention and care.
Over 800 MRF members were surveyed on their experiences with meningitis and/or septicaemia from the time of their first doctor’s visit through to aftercare.
Some important excerpts from the report:
• More than 50% of the members surveyed were sent home after their first visit to the GP and only 4% remembered having the symptoms of meningitis explained to them
• Many bacterial meningitis survivors suffer from hearing loss or impaired hearing as an after effect and hearing assessments are so important in the early stages of recovery to prevent further damage. Out of 716 people with bacterial meningitis, 25% had no hearing test.
It’s clear from the report results that the Disability Rights and Benefits (DRB) information pack, which is available here is an invaluable resource to help people who have had been affected by meningitis and septicaemia to wade through the maze of confusing medical and benefit systems information to get the right assistance.
MRF Chief Executive Chris Head said: “We hope this will go some way to making the recovery process easier. Meningitis and septicaemia affect many families every year, in different ways. Some tragically lose family members. Others can recover and be fortunate enough to have no lasting problems but many are left with life-altering after affects. The DRB resource will show survivors what they are entitled to and where to get it. Hopefully this will mean the necessary medical attention is sought swiftly, making recovery quicker and easier.”
Please take a look at the Impact of Meningitis report in your latest issue of Microscope or on our site, and do also visit the Disability Rights and Benefits information link to help you navigate the benefits system.
Posted in MRF News by Sabrina Lee on 02 June 2010
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