The Australian Pituitary Foundation Inaugural Seminar
held at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW
In August 2007 the Foundation embarked on an exciting and at the same time daunting project of running a national seminar. It was a first for the Australian Pituitary Foundation! The committee saw it as a way to bring more of our members together, provide information and provide a time to meet and talk with others experiencing the same issues. As a national organisation, the committee feels it's important to hold events that bring people together for all corners of the country. The seminar was open to the general public and also attracted a number of attendees from within the health sector. Following on from the great success of the national seminar, the Foundation would like to hold this function bi-annually in different cities around Australia.
One of the key issues discussed during the day was the concern many of our members have about growth hormone (GH) deficiency in adults. Currently when adolescents reach a certain age they are no longer entitled to GH as they were in childhood. As an adult they have to pay for their GH. Because it is not listed on the PBS the cost is prohibitive and just not a possibility for many patients. The Foundation is very keen to work with families, the pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession to lobby the Government to have growth hormone listed on the PBS. In order to achieve this, there needs to be support and input from the members. The National seminar provided a focus on this important topic.
Research shows that socialisation and support are vital aspects in a person’s ability to cope with a chronic illness. Activities such as the National Seminar provide the opportunity for members to make that connection and to establish supportive networks. A chat over the telephone, the internet or even a cuppa can make a big difference to how your day goes.
Please view the flyer which advertised the seminar.
PROGRAMME:
- GH Treatment
- How to get pregnant when your pituitary won't let you
- Weighty issues - Interactive session
- Stress & Illness
- HRT optimising Rx Induction & long term
- Osteoporosis
- Coping with chronic illness
- Practical session on IMI hydrocortisone
- Adolescent session - What sucks @#!!!
- Parents of children/adolescents discussion
- Transition from paediatric to adult care / mental health issues
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Mark McLean, Staff Specialist, Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology;
CNC Bin Moore, Coordinator, Growth and Endocrine Services, Institute of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead;
Dr. Howard Smith, Endocrinologist, Clinic Director, Westmead Fertility Centre, Westmead Hospital;
Patricia Crock, Staff Specialist, Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, John Hunter Children's Hospital, Associate Professor, University of Newcastle;
Michelle Casey, Chronic Illness Peer Support Coordinator, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (ChIPS).
The cost of putting on the Seminar was greatly subsidised by the Pharmaceutical companies and without them we would not have been able to keep the cost as low as we did. The Foundation would like to recognize Novartis, Sandoz, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, SciGen, Elli Lilly, Serono and Ferring for their sponsorship of this event. We would also like to acknowledge Snap Printing at Parramatta and Tyerell Graphics for practical assistance.
