Developing an esprit de corps to transform health and social care services

Developing an esprit de corps to transform health and social care services by Allan LEONARD 4 April 2019 I delivered the following speech at a presentation on Integrated Care Partnerships, at a conference event, "Transformation: Paving the Way Forward", organised by the Northern Ireland Healthcare Leadership Form (NIHLF): My name is Allan Leonard and I … Continue reading Developing an esprit de corps to transform health and social care services

Don’t leave carers in the dark

Allan LEONARD and Beverley BEATTIE The following article was published in the 2015–16 annual review of the Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke: Don’t leave carers in the dark While we often hear what it’s like to fight the long battle of recovery after stroke, we don’t always hear what it’s like to be a carer … Continue reading Don’t leave carers in the dark

Living the stroke experience: NIMAST 2016

I was part of a five-member panel of stroke survivors and carers who presented short stories of our perspectives, to an audience of delegates at the fifth Northern Ireland conference organised between the Northern Ireland Multidisciplinary Association for Stroke Teams (NIMAST) and the UK Stroke Forum (UKSF), held at La Mon Hotel, Belfast. Lisa LECKY … Continue reading Living the stroke experience: NIMAST 2016

Life objects: Tenx9 Belfast

I told a story at the Tenx9 event at Belfast’s Black Box venue. Tenx9 is a series of monthly events, where nine individuals tell a true, personal story, for up to ten minutes (hence the title). There are six Tenx9 city sites to date (why not start your own!); the Belfast series is led by … Continue reading Life objects: Tenx9 Belfast

Advice to new carers: Get support from wherever you can

This morning, I spoke about my experience as a carer, on Downtown Radio programme Daytime with Siobhan McGarry: Allan LEONARD, Gerry MAGUIRE (HSC Board), and Helen FERGUSON (Carers NI) interviewed by Siobhan McGARRY. Allan Leonard, in his mid-forties, suddenly found himself in a caring role for his spouse, Beverley, who suffered a severe stroke two … Continue reading Advice to new carers: Get support from wherever you can

Integrate emotional support says stroke survivor

Earlier this week, Madame Oui (aka my awesome wife Beverley) went up to Parliament Buildings to address a group of MLAs at the Northern Ireland Assembly. It was a very positive and constructive meeting, resulting in some agreed steps forward (next stop: the Assembly’s Health Committee). Beverley later remarked, “I’ve become a campaigner!” And one … Continue reading Integrate emotional support says stroke survivor

20130501 Stroke Association Logo

The emotional impact of stroke

I woke up next to my partner, to a spokesperson from the Stroke Association talking about their new report, “Feeling overwhelmed: The emotional impact of stroke”: Joe CORNER discusses launch of Stroke Association report, Feeling Overwhelmed, on emotional impact of stroke. “Are you listening to this?” I asked Madame Oui. “Yes.” My wife had a … Continue reading The emotional impact of stroke