Page 49 - N&V June 2019
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South London

                       In may the south   research into Lupus and Sjogren’s   Round Table group discussions on patient
                       london lupus group  syndrome?’ Professor David Isenberg,  opinion of heart disease risk led by
                       held 'The world    Director of the Centre for Rheumatology  Dr Coziana Ciurtin and other researchers.
                       lupus Day Ask the  Research, introduced the days’ activities  In addition, the topic of patient opinion on
                       expert session for  giving us the opportunity to talk directly  treatment was moderated by Dr Chris
                       Open lupus         with researchers and doctors about  Wincup and another team of researchers.
                       Questions &        research being performed at the centre.  The questions were designed in the
       Answers' headed by our Patron.     Rheumatologist Dr Liz Jury and Researcher  knowledge of not all treatments working
       Consultant rheumatologist Dr Arvind Kaul,  Elvira Chocano Navarro were billed to  for everyone, with the possibilities of side
       the Head of rheumatology and lupus  share what happens in laboratories when  effects in some. The aim being to address
       Patient Care at st. George's Hospital, who  you consent to being involved in a study. Ms  possible ways of overcoming the difficulties
       is also the Host/speaker of the upcoming  Navarro talked us through the video of  in predicting outcomes and identifying risk.
       medical Patient-Focused lectures on the  ‘What happens to your blood?’ filmed  The Annual Children's Fun Day Spectacular
       next saturday mornings of 27th July 2019,   inside the laboratory, Dr Ines Pineda-Torra  in support of LUPUS UK took place on
       7th september 2019 and 30th November  and Dr Anastasia Kalea presented ‘Heart  Saturday 13th July in South London. All the
       2019. Please do come along, there are  disease in lupus patients’, Dr Chris Wincup  effort and
       refreshments provided and the opportunity  talked about ‘Fatigue in lupus’, Dr Thomas  work put in
       to have informal chats with other lupus  McDonnell discussed ‘Complement and  over the years
       patients. For more information see the  lupus’ and Ms Lucia Martin Gutierrez  by Charlene
       events section of the luPus uK Facebook  closed the presentations with her latest  Nkum, her
       page and look out for post announcements  research into Sjogren’s Syndrome: looking  family and
       or email southlondonlupusuk@live.co.uk.  for new therapies. Freshly made  friends is
                                          sandwiches and salads were provided for
       uClH PPIe event                    lunch during the Poster Session that  very much
       In June University College London UCL  included ‘Diet and Lupus: What do Patients  appreciated.
       Rheumatology Research held a Patient and  Think?’ by the Jury Lab at UCL. A summary
       Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)  of the research by Researcher George
       event, entitled ‘What happens to your  Robinson is in a report on the LUPUS UK
       blood after you agree to take part in  website www.lupusuk.org.uk/diet-                        Laura Sinnett
       research? How can you help influence  research-paper-summary/ There were


       Obtaining Life Cover in Difficult Circumstances


       There are a variety of circumstances under which obtaining life insurance can become rather
       difficult, if not seemingly impossible.

       Whilst the vast majority of individuals can  insurance providers full stop. This is just  to consider application after a
       acquire cover relatively easily through the  simply not the case. It cannot be stressed  “deferred” period - a named period
       traditional routes, those afflicted with  enough how differently risk is perceived  of time or after a medical test/
       particular medical conditions, specifically  throughout the insurance industry; where  consultation has taken place.
       less common and more obscure ones, can  one company may not be willing to insure,  •  Excluded - offer life cover excluding
       often find themselves shut out before they  there is always the possibility that another  cover for a specific condition/s.
       have even started. The main reason for this  may be prepared to offer terms.  Declined - no cover offered.
       is due to the initial process of underwriting  Through developing relationships with  •
       which is typically undertaken by the  senior underwriters at a variety of  It should be stressed however, that every
       majority of insurance providers. This is  insurance providers it is evident to us that  case is viewed individually and the
       often in front of a junior underwriter or a  risk is not a constant throughout.   underwriting decision purely depends on
       computer and whilst timesaving for most,                               the medical information supplied by
       can often prove detrimental for others.   There have been a number of occasions  yourselves and detailed in a GP report
                                           when clients have been referred to us  from your doctor.
       Many people will find themselves in a  because they could not obtain life
       “computer says no” scenario, where they  assurance and we have been able to place  We offer a free consultation to discuss your
       are simply rejected as they do not fulfil the  the cover required.     life insurance requirements.  So please feel
       criteria 100%; for example,  a particular                              free to contact us to discuss your life
       element of their past will be flagged by an  There are five distinct outcomes for any life  insurance requirements with our friendly
       automatic system and a computer     cover application, these are as follows:  team and let us see how we can help you
       generated rejection letter will be produced.  •  Accept - on standard terms.  and your family.
       In cases like these, there is an innate lack of  •  Rated - The insurer has “accepted” the
       ability for the insurer to view the individual  application; however they have
       and their medical history as a whole; and it  applied an additional premium on top
       is here where we can offer help.       of the current premium.  This is known
       In many cases, people feel that if they are  as a “rating”.
       initially rejected by the “well-known  •  Defer/postpone               NlP Financial management
                                                         268Cd - Currently will not
       brands” they will be rejected by all   accept the application, but may look  www.nlpfm.co.uk - 020 7472 5555
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       luPus uK NEWS & VIEWS SUMMER 2019
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