charity Get involved Arthritis Care is the UKs largest charity working with and for people who have arthritis. We are here to help those with arthritis to manage their condition, and to live life to the full. Read this special report to find out what the Watford branch has been doing, and how you can get involved scan-tastic! Congratulations to the Watford Branch of arthritis Care, which after years of fundraising handed over an ultrasound machine to the rheumatology department at Watford General Hospital in October. The Watford Branch has been active for 60 years, and supports people from all sections of society who have arthritis. It has been fortunate to have been left legacies by previous members and supporters, for the benefit of local people who have arthritis, while various fundraising events have also boosted the branchs reserves. The management committee felt that the provision of an ultrasound scanner to Watford General Hospital was an ideal way of adhering to the wishes of our donors while providing a much-needed facility for the hospital. Rheumatology consultant dr Leena patel estimates that about 1,200 patients a year will be diagnosed earlier thanks to the new machine, which was put to use immediately. The scanner will make a huge difference to the way people are diagnosed. Being able to perform an ultrasound scan of the patients hands at their clinic appointment will greatly improve patient care, says dr patel. Taking a scan is a far more accurate way dr Leena patel receives the scanner from Watford Branch members of assessing joint inflammation, and drug therapies can then be optimised in a single visit, with no unnecessary delays. Currently, patients have to make two further trips to the hospital, and with the high demand for follow-up appointments this can often result in a long wait. The ultrasound scanner will be invaluable in an early arthritis service, which dr patel is keen to set up. This would aim to fast-track new patients with inflammatory arthritis; in the early stages of the disease, signs can be subtle and difficult to see. Such patients could be scanned on the same day as their clinic appointment, and a definite diagnosis and treatment plan could be implemented straight away. dr patel adds: We are very grateful to arthritis Care for this donation, as it will undoubtedly improve our patients care and their experience. Margo Basri, area development manager for arthritis Care, says: The partnership that exists between the branch and the rheumatology department at Watford General Hospital resulting in the funding of the scanner is a true testament to the commitment and desire of everyone involved to offer the best possible support to people affected by inflammatory arthritis in the Watford area. On behalf of the charity, I would like to congratulate and thank the Watford Branch for its generosity, and offer my best wishes for the continued success of this partnership. happy birthday, watford! We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of arthritis Care Watford this year isnt that amazing? On 18 January 1955, the branch was inaugurated, at a public meeting, as a section of The British Rheumatism association, as arthritis Care was then known. Its objectives were to: n do everything possible to improve the quality of life of members of the branch, by providing welfare, information, support and social activities n Raise funds to finance and further the work of the branch and the charity The branch has since expanded greatly, both in terms of members and activities. In 1966, the Honourable angus Ogilvy opened Carlisle House, in Rickmansworth, which was a residential home for people with severe arthritis. at the start of 2000, the branch had nearly 500 members, four groups and numerous volunteers. It was very active with fundraising events, such as bridge lunches, jazz evenings and fairs. The branch also sponsored a mobile information unit, which was set up in many towns around the country to give local people information on arthritis. arthritis Care then introduced the Challenging arthritis courses, which have now run successfully for many years. new activities were added to improve members lives; the art class and tai chi are very successful, and give people respite from their aches and pains for a few hours. a big thank you must go out to all our wonderful volunteers over the years.Without them, none of this would have been possible. The amount of time and effort they give to the charity really is invaluable. Watfords publicity officer, Jette Hansen aNd the wiNNer is featUre app boxoUt head 4 XXXXXXXXXX thank you so much to everyone who took part in our 2014 christmas raffle. congratulations to mrs m Bray, from chard, in somerset, who is the winner of our fantastic top prize of 2,500. congratulations also to all our other prize winners: mrs r Yates, from harrogate, Yorkshire; miss d moll, from west Byfleet, surrey; mrs P mcculloch, from liverpool; mrs e newey, from whitby, north Yorkshire; mrs d m robinson, from Perth, Perthshire; mr d chambers, from York; mrs j agate, from crawley, west sussex; mrs m trotter, from sunderland, tyne & wear; mr r shorter, from ashford, Kent; miss e a Blenkinsop, from Blaydon-on-tyne, tyne & wear; mrs l m mcrae, from aberdeen; ms r moulder, from london; mr s Balmforth, from Gerrards cross, Bucks; mrs s davidson, from Guildford, surrey; mrs j Ketley, from canvey island, essex; mrs j williams, from coleford, Gloucestershire; and mrs l hoad, from romford, essex. 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