Action for meningitis patients
Meningitis Now is calling for:
• Standardised, accessible information on hospital discharge
• Better training for NHS staff and GPs about the impact of meningitis
• Signposting to Meningitis Now services that help people living with the impact of meningitis
• For national clinical guidelines to reflect best practice in meningitis aftercare to ensure continuity of care across the UK
For further information on the report and to download your copy please visit www.meningitisnow.org/aftercarereport
Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey.
Contact us on
Phone: 01453 768000
Email: info@meningitisnow.org
Helpline: 0808 80 10 388
Website: www.MeningitisNow.org
Facebook: fb.com/meningitisnow
Twitter: @meningitisnow
Instagram: @meningitis_now
Meningitis Now
The problem with meningitis follow-up & aftercare
The shocking lack of support for adults in the UK
Lack of aftercare for meningitis patients
Meningitis Now has commissioned a new report, conducted by the health and social care research charity Picker, which reveals that many meningitis patients battling life changing after-effects do not receive support once discharged from hospital. Navigating recovery from meningitis can be complex and ongoing. Respondents stated a lack of understanding of the impact of meningitis from health professionals, as well as a lack of follow-up referrals and recovery information.
“Our report highlights a shocking lack of support for people affected by meningitis. Patients are leaving hospital with little or no follow up, poor information and support. Many are living with the after effects of the disease including fatigue, memory loss and brain fog, which has negatively impacted on people’s lives at home and work. Everyone deserves the best possible person-centred care, always.”
Dr Tom Nutt, CEO Meningitis Now
of respondents felt that improvements could have been made to their meningitis aftercare and support
“People seem to think viral meningitis is not life changing and it is. Three years on and I am still suffering, and it affects my everyday life.”
“I wish the full extent of the condition and recovery had been explained to me as misinformation from doctors was a huge factor. I wish they had pointed me in the direction of charities like Meningitis Now.”
“I wanted more information and support with recovery and for healthcare providers to understand meningitis more.”
“More people need to be aware of the impact of meningitis and there needs to be more services available for support. It is viewed as a one-off illness when in fact in many cases it is life changing and long-term.”
We have released a short film together with this report which tells Liam and Charlotte’s story and their experience of aftercare following Liam’s meningitis diagnosis.
71%
90% weren’t directed to any support services
of respondents received no information or not enough before leaving hospital
You can watch the film and find out more about the report at our website www.meningitisnow.org/aftercarereport