Pituitary News, Issue 14 - Spring 2000.

An overview of the Carer's workshop held at the National Conference including information about the Carers National Association (CNA).

We were delighted to be able to hold our first workshops at this year's National Conference and to meet those of you who were able to attend.

For those of you who were not, we would like to report back. We set out to look at the impact that caring for someone with a pituitary disorder has on the carer themselves, and on the way the whole family has to adapt. We looked at the syndrome of apathy as associated with pituitary disorders and reported on how one model of family therapy, the McMasters model, can be used to assess family functioning and provide a treatment tool for families of pituitary patients. Further information on this model can be found in the conference proceedings.

In addition, we gave out information about the Carers National Association (CNA). This is a UK based organisation which acts as the "voice" of carers. There are 122 branches across the UK providing local support, a listening ear and a chance to make contact with other carers in your area. Most carers join CNA to get advice on personal and practical matters and information on welfare benefits.

As a carer, the CNA can help you by:

• giving you the information you need through the CarersLine which is staffed by leading experts in carers's rights.
• answering your questions with up-to-date and relevant information.
• sending you free booklets and leaflets.
• promoting a "pen pals" service.
• offering you the support you want by putting you in touch with your nearest CNA branch or with a carer's worker or advice worker who can help you.
• working to give you a better deal by campaigning at local and national level on the behalf of all carers.

We hope that you will use this resource. A list of the main offices is given below:

England
20/25 Glasshouse Yard, London EC1A 4JT
Tel: 0207 490 8818

Scotland
91 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3LN
Tel: 0141 221 9141

Wales
River House, Ynysbridge Court, Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff CF15 9SS
Tel: 029 20 811 370

Northern Ireland
11 Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR
Tel: 028 90 439 843

CarersLine: 0808 808 7777
Monday to Friday 10am - midday and 2-4pm