Margaret Ogden
My interest in health began in 2000 when my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Her most traumatic time was when she suffered a series of falls. Her final accident, which occurred while she was under supervision, resulted in a broken shoulder and severe pain. I feel that this was the last straw and contributed to her rapid deterioration – though mentally ill, she had always been physically fit.
Two years later adversity fell on my family again. I was diagnosed with a rare immune system illness called Wegener’s Granulomotosis. At the onset, the symptoms were subtle and it looked as if I was very depressed when in fact there was a physical chronic illness. The masking of symptoms is, I believe, very important and clinicians need to be vigilant. Simultaneously, my mother was experiencing excruciating pain in her back. An x-ray did not reveal anything sinister. Hindsight is a great thing; Today I realise we should have pressed for a scan (it was never suggested that she should have one). Naively I believed that a clear x-ray indicated a clean bill of health. Sadly my mother died from Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2003.
Since then I have been driven to represent patients, service users and carers, feeding back their concerns to relevant Health Care bodies. I am committed to striving for patient representation on various committees and panels. Without this vital input, I believe there would be a missing link.
I am a patient activist especially where ageism is concerned – just because a patient is elderly, should not detract from the care they receive. I am proactive in bringing matters to the attention of relevant organisations regarding the impact age discrimination has on people’s lives.
Taking on this role as a Patient Safety Champion is a huge opportunity to work with the Strategic Health Authority and endeavour to improve the safety of patients. It will be a privilege.