Dr Manika spends 3-months in Southampton.

Prof Manika spent time with each member of the CF Multi-Disciplinary Team – specialist nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, CF psychologist, specialist Microbiologist and palliative care team. We provided her with protocols in each of these areas and particularly pharmacy protocols for IV antibiotics. In addition, Prof Manika attended adolescent transfer clinics run in the paediatric department, the purpose of which is to smoothly transfer adolescents over to the adult CF service. Prof Manika spent time with our service manager who discussed organisation and delivery of CF services, which included management of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, infrastructure and logistics around maintaining an efficient, well-resourced service.”   “My training on CF care in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service in Southampton England has been a multidimensional experience which I hope will change my every-day work in Greece. I would like to thank all the members of the multidisciplinary team for their time and for sharing their knowledge and experience with me. I am also grateful to the Child Health International and in particular Mr. Jim Hopwood, chairman of the board of trustees of CHI for making this training possible. I would especially like to thank Dr Mary Carroll for coordinating this complex training, for introducing me to a different and wider way of thinking on CF care, and for always making me feel welcome.” 

Greek staff visit Southampton CF centre 2016

On the 29th February 2016 two Athens physiotherapists visited Southampton for one week. This was a great success and both physiotherapists reported that they had learnt much useful physiotherapy techniques. [Financed by funds raised in memory of Dr Kechagia.] Following this Dr Diamantea director of the Athens centre spent 3 months the in Southampton CF department observing all aspects of CF care. This included a two week visit to Harefield hospital lung transplant centre. [Funded by a grant from the European Respiratory Society]

Second CHI visit November 2015

Dr Mary Carroll with nurse Tes Hodson, dietitian Clare Pearson and physiotherapist Emma Holland visited Sismanoglio Hospital in Athens to see selected patients and discuss medical cases  with the Athens MDT. This was much appreciated and all wish a return visit as soon as it can be arranged.

2 day visit to Sismanoglio hospital

First CHI visit April 2014 Dr Mary Carroll, Director CF Southampton Adult Service, Dr Valia Kechagia CF Clinical fellow, Mrs Tes Hodson CF nurse specialist, Mr Rod Halls, CHI representative, made a 2 day visit to Sismanoglio hospital in April 2014. Day one comprised of a visit to the Athens department, a 15-bedded ward to meet the staff and patients. Day two comprised a presentation to the patients, invited by the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, and staff of Sismanoglio hospital. Follow up Subsequently 2 Greek physiotherapists and the newly appointed director of the Athens service, Dr Diamantea and the head nurse Mrs Anna Tazarni have visited Southampton adult centre. In addition Dr Carroll has visited Athens on 3 further occasions with members of the Southampton Adult Multidisciplinary team to talk at Conferences and to see Greek patients, all organised by the Greek patients. [Financed by funds raised in memory of Dr Kechagia.]

CF patients request help from CHI

  In 2013, two Greek CF patients contacted a member of CHI at an international CF meeting to ask for help in improving the Athens adult CF service. Subsequently both patients visited the Adult CF centre in Southampton and were able to observe a working day in the department. The patients were particularly keen on improving their access to a trained CF physiotherapist. At Southampton we were fortunate in having a Greek Doctor as a member of our team, Dr Valia Kechagia. She was able to translate and make subsequent contact with the Athens service. With the financial help and planning from CHI, members of the Southampton Adult CF team were invited to visit the Athens CF service and to speak to a group of CF patients about CF care.