In other news
Book review
Thank you to peer support volunteer Alison for the first review of children’s book Troll.
Aimed at children 3+ it was the Times Book of the Week and Indie Book of the Month.
The illustrated characters are animals, and it is a story of acceptance. If you would like to review it, please let Nicholas know and we will send it on.
Research opportunity – University of Strathclyde
Through our membership of the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, we have been asked to pass on details of the development of a new website for older people with visual and/or hearing impairment ‘to support the safe and effective use of medicines’.
They say: “We are developing a website that can be searched to identify products that help older people who have visual and/or hearing impairment/loss to manage their medicines. Examples of products include timers, reminders, tactile dots, etc.
“We anticipate the website will be used by Health and Social care Professionals, Older People with Sensory Impairment, and carers and family members of older people with visual and/or hearing impairment/loss. To ensure that the website is designed and presented in an accessible and user-friendly manner for all users, we are inviting participants to help develop and test the website and review the type of content to include”.
Details of the research and the profile of potential participants, including who to contact, are found on this PDF:
As with all external organisations, only share personal details you are happy to.
Ongoing Cochlear Implant trial
Thank you to the volunteers who have contacted COACH. Participation will close in 2025, so if you do know someone who could benefit by participating in the research, do pass the information on.
As a reminder, Nottingham University about their COACH survey looking into experiences of people who don’t currently meet the threshold for a cochlea implant.
Imogen Parker Clinical the Trial Manager at the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit said:
“At the COACH trial, we are researching whether cochlear implants or hearing aids are better at improving speech understanding in adults who do not quite meet criteria for a cochlear implant on the NHS. Currently, it is not known which are more effective and we are hoping this trial will provide an answer for it, which could influence current NHS policy and therefore ensure that the best treatment possible is offered to all people with severe hearing loss in the future.
“In the trial, half of the people will receive a cochlear implant and the other will receive new state-of-the-art hearing aids and be asked to complete a series of questionnaires and hearing tests of a 9-month period. At the end of the trial period, all new devices are yours to keep.
“If you would like to find out more information or are interested in taking part, please visit our website at www.coachtrial.ac.uk or email us at COACH@nottingham.ac.uk”
As with all external organisations, only share personal details you are happy to.