In this episode of Inflammatory with Debbie and Katy, the hosts celebrate the important role nurses play in supporting people with inflammatory arthritis, particularly in the context of International Nurses Day and Mental Health Awareness Week.

They begin with a light-hearted catch-up about their weekends and segue into a candid discussion about mental health, personal experiences with stress, and the emotional impact of living with a fluctuating condition. Both hosts reflect on how weather and social environments affect their wellbeing, and the importance of being honest about mental health despite the British habit of saying “I’m fine.” They emphasise the need to normalise vulnerability and discuss how mental health and inflammatory arthritis are deeply connected.

They share personal experiences of how nurses often offer more empathetic and practical care compared to consultants, although their roles can sometimes feel limited to administrative tasks. Debbie shares a moving story about her daughter’s struggle with medication and how a nurse’s insight transformed her daughter’s quality of life, underscoring the critical role of compassionate healthcare professionals.

The conversation also highlights disparities in care due to regional differences and digital system inefficiencies within the NHS. The hosts praise the positive impact of nurse-led helplines and advocate for better integration and digital communication between services. The episode closes with an invitation to their first online community event to mark World Autoimmune and Auto-Inflammatory Arthritis Day.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Research paper: I’m Fine presentation is based on: ‘The current mental health status of children and young people with JIA, and their wider family’: a charity partner collaboration survey

📧 To attend the event, email: info@inflammatoryarthritis.org

🌐 Visit: inflammatoryarthritis.org

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Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.

For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/

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