Project Background
The Heart & Stroke Information Point website provides information about heart disease and stroke conditions. The project is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and is developed by NHS Tayside in partnership with Dundee University and Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland.
The website is aimed at everyone but in particular those people who live with heart disease or a stroke condition such as patients, carers, relatives and friends.
The website is a source of information to support patients, carers, health professionals and the general public on topics such as prevention, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
A project Steering Group was established in 2004 and comprises of:
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Patient representatives affected by heart and stroke disease
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Health professionals involved in caring for patients affected by heart and stroke disease
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Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland representative
The group meets on a quarterly basis to review project plans and progress.
What does the project involve?
The project team meets with patients, carers and support groups to explore the information topics they would like to see available on the website.
The project team then meets with clinical and professional groups involved in the care of people affected by heart disease and/or stroke conditions to develop or revise information.
Involving patients and carers
Patients and carers are involved in project in a variety of ways. These include developing the website logo, being part of the project steering group, participating in stakeholder events, focus groups and user evaluations. For further information, please visit the User Involvement section.
Two former patients sit on the project steering group and kindly agreed to give some feedback about what it’s been like to be involved in the Heart & Stroke Information Point.
Mr David Falconer
David Falconer joined the steering group in September 2004. David suffered a brain aneurysm in October 1996 and spent some time in the Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation in Dundee.
What kind of work have you had to do?
The work I have had to do relates to my own experiences relative to my own illness as well as putting across a patient's point of view on many of the items on the agenda.
What do you feel you have contributed to the project?
I feel I have been able to give a fair insight in to how patients' problems need to be addressed by the professionals as only an ex-patient is qualified to do.
How much time does it take out of your life to participate?
The whole project does not use up much of my spare time in order to participate as it is voluntary. I do try to attend most meetings.
What do you feel you have got out of being involved?
By attending meetings and listening to the professionals and to other patients' views, I have learned a bit about the Heart & Stroke Information Point website and also gained some insight as to how some professionals appear to view the dilemma of the patient.
Overall, how have you found the experience of being involved in the Heart & Stroke Information Point?
I have found the experience of being involved a very worthwhile and enjoyable time
Mr Eric Davidson
Eric Davidson joined the project steering group in December 2004. Eric underwent heart surgery in 2000.
What kind of work have you had to do?
Review documents and the website, attend meetings and make contributions
What do you feel you have contributed to the project?
I have contributed ideas and suggestions and a patient story. I would like to think of myself as an active participant who has made a positive contribution.
How much time does it take out of your life to participate?
A relatively small amount of time which I am very happy to provide.
What do you feel you have got out of being involved?
I have learned a great deal about advances in medical science in these issues and a lot of the issues that concern patients.
Overall, how have you found the experience of being involved in the Heart & Stroke Information Point?
I have found it an extremely useful, exciting and highly motivating project that has been of great benefit to me personally and where I have been asked about my experiences.
Involving Health Professionals
Health professionals are involved in the project through the Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke Managed Clinical Network groups, Focus Groups and Stakeholder Events. Health professionals involved in the development of the website include:
Last updated: 10/12/2007