Stoke Mandeville

National Spinal Cord Injuries Centre
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Mandeville Road
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP21 8AL
Telephone: 01296 315000
www.buckshospitals.nhs.uk

Peer Support Volunteers	Centre Staff Members
Visitors Accommodation	Upcoming Events
Ongoing Research	Useful Addresses
Taxi Information	Accessible Recreational Facilities
After Discharge	General Hospital Experiences

Peer Support Volunteers

Jacquie de Sybel
I sustained my SCI in May 2000 at the Wycombe Race Equality Offices, where I worked as Secretary to the Director. My level of injury is C2-T2 incomplete and I was in two general hospitals before I finally came to Stoke Mandeville in the last six months for my rehab. I was recruited by Jackie Bailey as a Peer Support volunteer in September 2003 and the team have helped me greatly in sharing their varying experiences of SCI and their episodes of travel amongst other sagas. I enjoy being at the Centre where I know most of the staff, and help give support and advice to new SCI patients where needed. My two sons have now left home so I am adjusting to the quiet of the house, with just my live-in carers for company. I enjoy reading, going to the theatre and cinema, and have just discovered the ‘joys’ of travel again, and have just got back from my dream visit to my family in Singapore for a big family reunion.

Roy Everson
I was invalided out from the Royal Navy many years ago (just a clue, a dog was in orbit). I’ve led a full life and God willing will carry on doing so. In the early 70’s I ran my own market stall in Chelsea and was very successful and really enjoyed the experience. When I moved down to Aylesbury I was eventually employed by the Stadium and spent 20 years there doing a variety of jobs from fundraising, entertainment, Reception etc. I’ve been married twice, but now live a Batchelor’s life. As I enjoy the contact with people, working with the Peer Support Team is very enjoyable and I hope worthwhile. Being an older paraplegic, gregarious and housetrained, I consider myself an expert on the ups, downs and pitfalls of life as a T5 complete.

Sally Haynes
My introduction to Stoke Mandeville Spinal Centre was way back in 1959 at the age of 18, when the horse I was riding in a point-to-point race fell and then rolled over me, causing the back of the saddle to go through my spine. Hence a T9 complete injury and a new lifestyle to take on! Instead of racing and Show Jumping competitively, I switched to Table Tennis and Fencing, and my working life in the Great Outdoors changed to shorthand and typing at a desk. Whatever, there has always been just as much fun and frolics as there have been tears and frustration. Throughout the intervening years I have experienced many of the trials and tribulations of paraplegia and to now be one of the Peer Support Volunteer team at Stoke Mandeville is satisfying, rewarding and the most enjoyable part of my life nowadays.

John Silk
My name is John Silk, I’m 33 years of age and live in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. I am C5 complete and sustained my injury from a diving accident whilst on holiday in Cyprus in 1995. I am very keen on my sport, especially football, and I’m a season ticket holder at Nottingham Forest football club.

Donna Taylor
I have been a wheelchair user for 38 years since the age of 14 when I had an operation to remove a spinal abscess. My level of injury is T1/2. I was at first in a London hospital, and then moved to Stoke Mandeville Spinal Centre for rehabilitation. When I was discharged I went back home to mum and dad and continued attending the secondary school I was previously at. In my younger days I enjoyed taking part in many sporting actives such as basketball, archery and table tennis. When I left school I worked for Securicor in the publicity department. I got married and had two sons, who are now aged 27 and 20 years. I worked in sales for about 17 years, my last job being with W H Perry were I was the Motability specialist for 13 years. I enjoy travelling, and my favourite place is Florida. My hobbies are gardening, arts & crafts, hand-biking and walking my dog. I joined SIA as one of the Peer Support team at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Centre about five years ago. I enjoy meeting newly injured people and their families and work with wonderful team-mates who, as well as giving support to new patients, their families and Centre staff, also give me tremendous support.

Centre Staff Members

Tom Meagher - Clinical Director
David Griffiths - General Manager
Debbie Green - Head Nurse (Matron)
Mr. F. Derry - Consultant
Dr. A. Graham - Consultant
Mr. B. Gardner - Consultant
Dr. A. Jamous - Consultant
Mr. D. Newton - Consultant (Locum)
Dot Tussler - Head of Physio
Sarah Dowie - Head of OT
Prof. P. Kennedy - Head of Psychology

Visitors Accommodation

Olympic Lodge Hotel
Guttmann Road
Aylesbury
HP21 9PP
All rooms wheelchair accessible with ensuite bathrooms. Rate at Jan 07 £48 per room per night (Walking distance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital)
Local Bed & Breakfasts
Bay Lodge
47 Tring Road
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 331404/432184
Mrs P Smith
14 Lister Green
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 581740 (after 4pm)
Or 01296 396194 (up to 3.30pm)
Roy Everson
5 Anson Close
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 331473
Mrs Hedges
46 Craigwell Avenue
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 884468
Ms Webb Shipley
119 Barnard Crescent
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 483293
Miss Helen Mitman
168 Cambridge Street
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 425655
Mrs F Kloss
5 Brundell Drive
Stoke Mandeville
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 614875
Mr M Sayer
61 Dalesford Road
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 427474
Donna Taylor
104 Mandeville Road
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 421699
Denise Gardner
6 Court Close
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 422867
Or 07979 011941
Mrs Jean Good
Hunters Lodge
Lodge Hill
Butlers Cross
Tel: 01296 624203
Mrs D Arkell
Vicarage Farmhouse
Churchway
Stone
Tel: 01296 748182
Janet & David Leech
Brickwell Farm Cottage
Mill Lane
Weston Turville
Tel: 01296 612656
Janet Frost
Wendover
Tel: 01296 624417
Mrs P Sargeant
The Oaks
95 Chalkshire Road
Butlers Cross
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 614018
Ms V Taylor
Charterhouse
103 London Road
Aston Clinton
Tel: 01296 631313
Mrs D O’Toole
The Crown
Risborough Road
Little Kimble
Tel: 01296 613230
Ms Fizz Roberts
Kimberwick Farm
Kimble
Tel: 01844 344730
This information has been taken from the list held at the NSIC and may be out of date.

Upcoming Events

Patient Forum meetings, open to all patients under the care of the NSIC, will take place on the following dates from 4pm-5.30pm in the Patient education room:-

Thursday 9th August
Thursday 11th October
Thursday 13th December

Quiz Nights will also be held in Jimmy’s for any patients, relatives, friends or staff of the NSIC at a cost of £1 per person on the following date:-

Thursday 23rd August

Ongoing Research

Clinical aspects of cord repair following spinal cord injury - developing new more accurate ways of measuring change in injury level and completeness after spinal cord injury to enable better assessment of new treatments
The bowel following spinal cord injury - recently completed three part study to describe bowel management and its outcomes in the community after SCI, to assess bowel management interventions using ano-rectal manometry, and a trial of a stepwise protocol for bowel management. Currently starting a study to compare the outcomes of different rectal stimulants (suppositories and micro enemas)
Psychological aspects of spinal cord Injury focusing on coping, adjustment and psychological therapy - the impact of childhood spinal cord injury on the family, international study of adjustment to spinal cord injury over time
Multidisciplinary research into rehabilitation of people with Spinal Cord Injury across the lifespan - impact of spinal cord injury on skeletal growth and development of children, life expectancy after spinal cord injury, aging with a spinal cord injury
Preventing secondary complications of spinal cord injury - the effects of wheelchair propulsion and set-up on user performance, current provision of wheelchairs to spinal cord injured individuals UK wide (including incidence of upper limb pain), radiological imaging studies to improve diagnosis

Useful Addresses

National Spinal Cord Injuries Centre
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Mandeville Road
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP21 8AL
Tel: 01296 315000 (switchboard)
Aylesbury Train Station & Stoke Mandeville Train Station (Chiltern Railways)
Customer Service Tel No: 08456 005165
www.chilternrailways.co.uk
Aylesbury Bus Station
Traveline Information 0870 608 2608
No. 9 Bus runs from Aylesbury Bus Station to Stoke Mandeville Hospital approx every 10mins.
Aylesbury Vale District Council
Exchange Street
Aylesbury
Bucks
Tel No: 01296 585089

Taxi Info

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) has provided us with a list of taxi companies who can accommodate Patients / Clients with wheelchairs.

Please see list below, but can you note that as Private Hire Companies they set their own fares, and AVDC recommend that a quote is obtained first before booking. For Vehicles that have a TAXI sign and a meter, the driver MUST use the meter and charge what the meter says and no more.

Company	Tel No
5 Eights	01296 588888
ABC Taxis	01296 423232
Access Ability	01296 431294
Alexander	01494 583690
Alpha Travel	01296 431722
Atlas Cars	01296 339999
Bucks Executive Cars	01296 334444
Five Two’s Taxis	01296 422222
Foster Taxis	01296 398200
I Raja	01296 338799
M Anwar	01296 337333
M & M Taxi	01296 390526
Redcars	01280 812518
Sab Taxis	01296 423154
Shahzad’s	01296 484184
Sky Cars	01296 331133
Taxis Direct	01296 338875
Time Cabs	01296 433333
TWK	01296 484561
UK Taxis	01296 399993

Local Information leaflets are available at the NSIC Reception desk.

Accessible Recreational Facilities

RESTAURANTS/PUBS
The Bell
29 Lower Road
Stoke Mandeville
Aylesbury
HP22 5XA
Tel: 01296 612 434
The Bell is pleased to be able to offer a 10% discount on food menu items to all SIA members providing proof of SIA membership is produced at the time of purchase.
The Firecrest
London Rd
Wendover
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP22 6QG
Tel: 01296 628041
The Five Bells Hotel
40 Main St
Weston Turville
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP22 5RW
Tel: 01296 613131
The Noodle Bar
1-3 Bourbon Street
Aylesbury
HP20 2PZ
Tel: 01296 487773
The Woolpack
Risborough Road
Stoke Mandeville
Aylesbury
HP22 5UP
Tel: 01296 615970
THEATRES
Aylesbury Civic Centre
Market Suqare
Aylesbury
01296 486009
www.aylesburycivic.org
Wycombe Swan Theatre & Town Hall
St Mary Street
High Wycombe
Bucks
HP11 2XE
Ticket Office: 01494 512000
Fax: 01494 538080
Email: sales@wycombeswan.co.uk
General Enquiries: enquiries@wycombeswan.co.uk
www.wycombeswan.co.uk
Milton Keynes Theatre
Marlborough Gate
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3NZ
Box Office: 0870 060 6652
www.miltonkeynestheatre.com
SPORTS CENTRES
Stoke Mandeville Stadium
Guttmann Road
Stoke Mandeville
Buckinghamshire
HP21 9PP
Tel: 01296 484848
Fax: 01296 415700
Email: stoke.mandeville@leisureconnection.co.uk
The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation
Stoke Mandeville Stadium
Guttmann Road
Tel: 01296 395995
Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre
Aylesbury
Tel: 01296 488555
Email: leisureservices@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk
Swan Pool & Leisure Centre
London Road
Buckingham
Bucks
MK18 1AE
Tel: 01280 817500
Wycombe Sports Centre
Marlow Hill
High Wycombe
Bucks
HP11 1TJ
Tel: 01494 688 100 (reception) or 01494 688 123 (customer services)

For more information on Leisure facilities in the Aylesbury Vale area call 01296 585210 or email leisureservices@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Or go to www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

After Discharge

What 5 points would we recommend you do immediately after discharge?

Attend the Wheelchair Skills sessions run in conjunction with BackUp at all Spinal Cord Injury Centres
Find out as much as possible about Care Package options from staff and returning patients (you may want to change at a later date)
Think seriously about doing a BackUp course or plan a holiday… treat yourself!
Make sure you get the contact details of your ‘peers’ - their support could prevent you from feeling isolated when you get home
JOIN SIA!!

General Hospital Experiences

I (Jackie Bailey) have personal experience of going through a General Hospital and only came under the care of Stoke Mandeville 15yrs post injury. Whilst the staff at the General hospital had experience of ‘treating’ spinal cord injury, I was given no education about the condition and left having picked up little bits of information from the nursing staff, but still thought that the bladder problems I had were mine and mine alone. I certainly had no understanding of how to look after my skin. Fortunately I was young, fit & healthy and more by luck than judgement managed to avoid too many problems . When I finally arrived at Stoke Mandeville it was a real eye opener, and to this day I find I’m still learning more and more about the condition. Looking back the thing that I think I probably missed out on the most was the ‘peer support’, though I certainly didn’t want to be part of a ‘disabled group’. I have, however, made up for that in the last 6 yrs and now find that many of my closest friends are spinal cord injured themselves.

As a Peer Support Officer I have seen many come to the NSIC from General Hospitals and it’s not unusual for them to have pressure sores by the time they arrive; the longer the stay in a General Hospital the greater the risk of a sore developing. This means that their rehabilitation period is extended considerably whilst they wait for their sore to heal and can be extremely frustrating for all concerned. Very few have an established bowel programme either, and their bladder management isn’t always appropriate and very rarely explained, and as I found, the lack of peer support can mean you get a limited view of life's possibilities. Unfortunately there are never enough beds available in Spinal Injury Centres for all new injuries to be admitted straightaway, but if the opportunity arises I would always recommend that new injuries take the option to be transferred to one as soon as possible.

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