Chronic Illness Support Campaign Reaches Every Main Hospital in Wales

Strategic Insights -

A campaign to improve chronic illness support in healthcare settings has made significant strides in Wales, with every main hospital in every health board and library system receiving a copy of the book "Living Well with Chronic Illness". The initiative was launched by Grace Quantock, an NHS board member and UKCP-registered psychotherapeutic counsellor, as part of her #BuyACommunityABook campaign. The campaign has been expanded to include hospitals in England, demonstrating the community's willingness to fill the gap in healthcare support resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The campaign, launched by Grace Quantock, has reached every main hospital in every health board and library system in Wales, with a copy of the book "Living Well with Chronic Illness".
  • The initiative is part of the #BuyACommunityABook campaign, which aims to donate copies of the book to hospitals and libraries lacking dedicated resources.
  • Almost half of the UK population lives with long-term health conditions, yet practical support materials are often missing from hospital waiting rooms and libraries.
  • The book "Living Well with Chronic Illness" offers guidance on navigating healthcare systems, self-advocacy, and managing daily life with limited energy.
  • The campaign is targeted towards helping marginalized communities who may be underserved by existing resources.
  • The campaign is being run in partnership with the Big Green Bookshop and supported by publisher Orion Spring/Hachette.
  • The book can now be purchased for £10.99, with the proceeds going towards putting practical chronic illness support directly into hospital waiting rooms.

Statistics:

  • Almost half of the UK population lives with long-term health conditions. (Source: [BBC News])
  • 40% of the UK population lives with a long-term health condition. (Source: [NHS Choices])
  • The book "Living Well with Chronic Illness" is available for purchase for £10.99. (Source: [Orion Spring/Hachette])

Sources:

  • BBC News
  • NHS Choices
  • Orion Spring/Hachette