PMR GCA Scotland
Support for Polymyalgia and Giant Cell Arteritis Sufferers in Scotland
We provide support to sufferers from PMR and GCA within Scotland. We run a Support Line, Support Groups, provide information packs and a regular newsletter to patients, families and friends.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information (updated 21st June)
Webinars from PMRGCAuk
Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta (one of our patrons) delivered a webinar for our sister charity PMRGCAuk entitled “PMR and GCA: The Road beyond Covid”
This webinar outlined new ways of diagnosing, assessing and living with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: how to embrace new ways of communication, remote review, self-disease assessment and self-management in a changed world. You can watch a recording of the webinar HERE
Also from PMRGCAuk a webinar with Sara Muller, Research Fellow at Keele University, where she leads the PMR Cohort Study entitled “Study of the course of PMR Symptoms 2 years after diagnosis”. Sara describes the patterns she has found in pain and stiffness and what this might mean for future research. You can watch a recording of the webinar HERE.
Details of leaflet for people taking steroids
Dr Sarah Mackie has produced a leaflet about prednisolone doses – for more details see the News page of this website.
Latest health advice
For the latest health advice on the virus, please look at the NHSInform by clicking here.
Support
As many of our members have compromised immune systems, we have decided that all Group meetings are cancelled until further notice. Please watch this place for updated information.
Members should feel free to call the Support Line/ Helpline if feeling worried or lonely even if it is just for a chat.
SUPPORT LINE
PMR-GCA Scotland (approved by Helplines Partnership) has a Support Line on 0300 777 5090 (same prices as an 01 or 02 number). Our volunteers have received skills training from Helplines Partnership.
We have 5 volunteers who take it in turns to cover the line.
If the volunteer is not available when you call, please leave a message and a contact number and they will return your call. We will not ring you back if you don't leave a message.
Groups & Meeting Dates
Please click on the relevant name to get more details.
These meetings are currently cancelled and are for people with PMR and GCA but also for family, friends or anyone else who has an interest and would like to learn more.
The Aberdeen Group meet in the Morven Room at The Hub, Cults Kirk Centre, 404 North Deeside Road, Cults, ABERDEEN. AB15 9TD from 1.30 to 3.00 as per list below.
There is a table reserved in the cafe from 12.30. The cafe serves teas\coffee cakes etc, soup, sandwiches. etc. which are all home made.
The number 19 bus from the city to Culter will take you nearly to the door.The Church is close to the new Aberdeen bypass …….handy for anyone coming from the North or South by car.
There will be no charge for the meetings but items from the cafe will be paid for by the diners.
Details of the room can be found at www.cultsparishchurch.co.uk then Cults Kirk Centre and Meeting Rooms.
For more details, please send an email to Aberdeen@pmrgcascotland.com or ring 0300 777 5090 and ask for a message to be passed to one of the Trustees.
DATES FOR 2020 are:
Thursday 19th March,
Thursday 21st May,
Thursday 16th July,
Thursday 17th September and
Thursday 19th November
Dundee Meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month except January in the Lounge of Dundee Parish Church (St Mary’s) from 11am till midday.
Entry by East door opposite Primark. Doors open 10:45. Tea and Coffee provided.
Next meeting Tuesday 17th March 2020
Contact Dundee Group by clicking here.
Edinburgh Support Group meet on the 2nd Tuesday of most months at 11.00am for 90 minutes in the Undercroft Café, under St Andrew’s & St George’s Church, 13-17 George Street (east end of George St) EDINBURGH EH2 2PA .
Next meeting is Tuesday 14th April 2020 at 11am
Other dates are :
NOT MAY (may go to the Standing Order opposite – tbc), 9th June, 14th July, NOT AUGUST, 8th September, 13th October, 10th November, and 8th December.
Contact Edinburgh Group by email by clicking HERE
Glasgow Group meet on the second Monday of alternate months but subject to change.
VENUE: Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (The ALLIANCE), Venlaw Building, 349 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4AA
Next Meeting: Monday 18th May 2020 2pm to 4pm
Please note change of date from 11th to 18th.
Contact the Glasgow Group by email by clicking HERE
Highland Support Group Meetings are held in the Concourse Room of the
Spectrum Centre, 1 Margaret Street, Inverness, IV1 1LS
Which is next to the bus station and close to the railway station.
Meetings are held on alternate months on the fourth Tuesday in the month from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
Dates for 202024 March,
26 May
28 July,
22 September,
24 November
If you wish to attend please contact David Carrott at highland@pmrgcascotland.com by clicking HERE for further information.