Developing an esprit de corps to transform health and social care services

Developing an esprit de corps to transform health and social care services by Allan LEONARD 4 April 2019 I delivered the following speech at a presentation on Integrated Care Partnerships, at a conference event, "Transformation: Paving the Way Forward", organised by the Northern Ireland Healthcare Leadership Form (NIHLF): My name is Allan Leonard and I … Continue reading Developing an esprit de corps to transform health and social care services

Don’t leave carers in the dark

Allan LEONARD and Beverley BEATTIE The following article was published in the 2015–16 annual review of the Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke: Don’t leave carers in the dark While we often hear what it’s like to fight the long battle of recovery after stroke, we don’t always hear what it’s like to be a carer … Continue reading Don’t leave carers in the dark

Living the stroke experience: NIMAST 2016

I was part of a five-member panel of stroke survivors and carers who presented short stories of our perspectives, to an audience of delegates at the fifth Northern Ireland conference organised between the Northern Ireland Multidisciplinary Association for Stroke Teams (NIMAST) and the UK Stroke Forum (UKSF), held at La Mon Hotel, Belfast. Lisa LECKY … Continue reading Living the stroke experience: NIMAST 2016

Life objects: Tenx9 Belfast

I told a story at the Tenx9 event at Belfast’s Black Box venue. Tenx9 is a series of monthly events, where nine individuals tell a true, personal story, for up to ten minutes (hence the title). There are six Tenx9 city sites to date (why not start your own!); the Belfast series is led by … Continue reading Life objects: Tenx9 Belfast

“Be Catholic and have a large family”: Tim McGarry at Carers Week launch

“Be Catholic and have a large family”: Tim McGarry at Carers Week launch Thousands of people across Northern Ireland provide care for others throughout the year. Carers Week is organised by several charities that come together to celebrate this contribution, signpost carers to further information and support, and encourage ‘hidden’ carers to come forward and … Continue reading “Be Catholic and have a large family”: Tim McGarry at Carers Week launch

Book review — Touching Distance (James Cracknell)

Reading this book was always going to have a special meaning to me, as my wife had a stroke about two years ago. Like James and Bev, my wife and I are writing a book together about our experience. We honestly came up with the same chapter layout as them — alternative narrations. In these types of … Continue reading Book review — Touching Distance (James Cracknell)

Integrate emotional support says stroke survivor

Earlier this week, Madame Oui (aka my awesome wife Beverley) went up to Parliament Buildings to address a group of MLAs at the Northern Ireland Assembly. It was a very positive and constructive meeting, resulting in some agreed steps forward (next stop: the Assembly’s Health Committee). Beverley later remarked, “I’ve become a campaigner!” And one … Continue reading Integrate emotional support says stroke survivor

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The emotional impact of stroke

I woke up next to my partner, to a spokesperson from the Stroke Association talking about their new report, “Feeling overwhelmed: The emotional impact of stroke”: Joe CORNER discusses launch of Stroke Association report, Feeling Overwhelmed, on emotional impact of stroke. “Are you listening to this?” I asked Madame Oui. “Yes.” My wife had a … Continue reading The emotional impact of stroke