Health and wellbeing
Information and resources to help you to manage your condition, plus develop coping strategies and wellness plans which could reduce the impact of your illness upon your life and your family.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust recognises the importance of empowering people with long-term health conditions to manage as much of their condition as is appropriate. This can reduce the need for visits to the doctor, outpatient appointments and stays in hospital, which may be inconvenient and difficult to manage alongside job and family commitments.
You may wish to manage your condition your way and at your own pace, knowing what works best for you and with as little time spent in a clinic, surgery or hospital as possible.
If you would like more information, ask your clinic or community nurse about the wellness and self-care support available for people with diabetes or COPD. You will be guided through choosing the right form of support that works best for you, creating a tailored package which could include online reading, information factsheets, classroom-based or online courses, and links to local support networks.
You will then receive a wellness and self-care prescription and we will contact you to review how things are going.
This section contains information about broader self care and is not condition-specific. The information contained here can be useful in helping you to think about and manage your condition.
General self care resources
- General information on self-care and how it could be helpful for you: What is self care?
- Ten simple interactive tools to help you towards a healthier lifestyle: Live well tools
- Information and resources to help you improve your wellbeing: www.patient.info
Diabetes and Self Care
Diabetes-related courses
- A comprehensive online course developed by Diabetes UK for people who have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes and Me' training course
- Online training to help both patients and staff to understand and manage diabetes, and the psychological impact of the condition: The Psychology of Diabetes
Resources for diabetes
- From Diabetes UK: A Guide to Diabetes
- Information about Type 1 Diabetes for children and young people: Type 1 essentials for children and young people
- Information about diabetes for older people: Older People and Diabetes
- A short film by Diabetes UK explaining the basics of the condition: What is diabetes?
- A game developed by Diabetes UK to help you to better understand the condition: Myths and facts game
Diabetes networks
- Local diabetes support groups
- Sutton Family Group
- Surrey Downs DUK Twitter Account
- Carshalton DUK Group
- Wimbledon and District DUK Group
- Croydon DUK Group
Diabetes: Further information
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Self Care
COPD Resources
A respiratory nurse specialist and patients explain pulmonary rehabilitation and how exercise can improve the symptoms of COPD: NHS Choices film
The British Lung Foundation provide key facts on COPD: COPD key facts
This may be helpful if you have recently been diagnosed with COPD: British Lung Foundation
An online guide to help you to find out whether you're receiving the care you're entitled to, and what to do if not: COPD Passport BLF
Exercise programme: BLF Stay Active, Stay Well
Why self-management is important – information for staff: COPD Exchange
COPD Networks
Local COPD Support Group
Breathe Easy: Merton and Sutton
Third Thursday of the month, 2pm–4pm
St. Bedes Conference Centre
St. Anthony's Hospital
London Road
North Cheam
SM3 9DW
BLF Direct Helpline: 03000 030 555