Clinical_Advisory

Supporting Quality Of Life for Children and Adults

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Clinical Advisory Team

Personal statement from the Founder of the Full Circle Fund, Suzie Ruggles:

I am immensely proud and honoured to introduce you to our Full Circle Team. We are made up of a Management Committee which oversees the vital running of the Fund in all aspects of fundraising and day-to-day management. Our Clinical Advisory Team is involved in all matters relating to audit, evaluation, research and delivery of the Full Circle service to patients within Haematology and Oncology. I am extremely grateful to my extraordinary friends, colleagues and family who have given their time and energy, enthusiastically, (not forgetting the countless telephone conversations, meetings, emails and cups of coffee or in my case tea!) to support, develop and help steer the vision that I’ve held for the Full Circle Fund, and deliver it into a reality. Without these extraordinary individuals we could never have seen Full Circle’s launch in June 2006. Each individual has brought to the Fund a unique and invaluable wealth of experience, expertise and insight. I am indebted to all our patients who have ceaselessly supported us in our vision. I know you all know who you are. The Full Circle Fund exists because of you. Thank you.

S.R.St George’s NHS Trust
London
June 2006

The Full Circle Therapy Team (in alphabetical order)

Annie O’Dell ITEC. IFPA. MAR. IFR.

Annie O’Dell studied massage and aromatherapy at the Clare Maxwell-Hudson School of Massage, London, and reflexology at the Practitioners School of Reflexology, London.

Following qualifying as a therapist she worked as a volunteer therapist at Trinity Hospice in Clapham. Annie initially joined as a volunteer therapist at St. George’s Hospital NHS Trust in January 1999 where she still treats patients with cancer on Trevor Howell Ward. She is also Lead Complementary Therapist at the Parkside Oncology Clinic in Wimbledon. She also runs a busy private practice in South West London.

Annie O’Dell is a qualified teacher in Adult Education and currently teaches reflexology at the University of Westminster, School of Integrated Health, and massage at the Essentials for Health School of Massage in Central London.
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Liz Hammond ITEC, MCThA.

Liz Hammond has been involved with complementary therapy since 1975 as Co-Director of Sutton Chiropractic Clinic, Surrey. In 1994 she qualified in Holistic Aromatherapy from Raworth Centre, College of Natural Medicine, Dorking and holds qualifications in Reflexology, Remedial and Sports Injury Massage, Tui Na Massage, Indian Head Massage and Reiki II.

Liz joined St George’s Hospital Complementary Therapy Team in Haematology in 2004, providing massage and reflexology sessions to staff members. In 2006 she joined the ward-based supportive therapy team providing reflexology and relaxation techniques to haemato-oncology inpatients and outpatients. Currently she provides treatments for Full Circle at St George’s on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

Liz also works one day a week as a freelance massage therapist for patients at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney. She runs a busy private practice in Cheam, Surrey.

Therapeutic focus: to provide therapeutic interventions which aid relaxation to help restore and maintain the body’s natural equilibrium; to treat holistically; to emphasise preventive care and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own well-being.
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Luisa Cicuttin ITEC.

Luisa Cicuttin has worked as a complementary therapist since 2003. She is a member of The Complementary Therapists Association - Embody. She initially started working as a volunteer therapist at St. George’s Hospital with Oncology patients in 2005 offering Reflexology and Aromatherapy.

Luisa commenced her studies as a complementary therapist in 2001 studying with independent practitioner, teacher and Reiki master, Sarah Gow and gained diplomas in Reiki 1 and 2. She then went on to study at Clapham Common College and has ITEC diplomas in Anatomy, Physiology and Holistic massage (2003),Reflexology (2004) and Aromatherapy (2005).

Outside the hospital Luisa works as a complementary therapist for community drugs projects and Hammersmith and Fulham Social Services offering complementary therapies to people recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. She runs a private practice in South West London.
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Suzie Ruggles BRCP Dip. Energy Medicine, MAR.
Project Director and Complementary Therapy co-ordinator.

Suzie Ruggles is a qualified practitioner in Energy Medicine (Plexus bio-energy), Reflexology (Maureen Burgess School of Reflexology, Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton) and Neuro Linguistic Programming. Since 1998 she has studied Qigong (Chi Kung) meditation and has trained with Taoist Master, Simon Lau and Liam Fretwell. She has completed Clinical Training courses in Mind-Body Medicine and Positive Psychology at Harvard University and is currently studying for a degree in Health Psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Her emphasis is in developing the mind-body connection. She focuses on evidence-based techniques in relaxation and breath-training to help patients develop inner awareness and attain deep relaxation to balance the emotional and physical responses to stress and anxiety. She provides individual treatment programmes which may include qigong meditation, visualisation exercises, breath-training, Relaxation Response (RR) and bio-energy.

In December 2000 she introduced the first Supportive Therapies programme for haematology and bone marrow transplant patients at St George's Hospital, for which she received St George's NHS Trust's "Exceptional Award." In 2006 she launched the Full Circle Fund at St George's Hospital.

Suzie receives invitations to speak locally and nationally. Past invitations include Macmillan Cancer Care, the IGPP (International Guild of Professional Practitioners), Leukaemia CARE National Conference, RCN Nurses Group (South West), Sickle Cell Awareness Day (London), Cancer Support Groups, Post Graduate Oncology courses, Kingston University, London.
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Clinical Advisory Team

Alison Hughes, Head of Nursing Specialist and Geriatric Medicine.

Dr David Bevan. Consultant in Haematology. Honorary Senior Lecturer. St George’s Hospital Medical School.

Julie Nicholson. Matron. Haematology. St George’s NHS Trust.

Tina Glynn. Complementary Therapy Manager. London Breast-Cancer Haven.

Laura O’Regan. Bone Marrow Transplant co-ordinator. Haematology. St George’s NHS Trust.

Chris Harte. Nurse Consultant Liaison Psychiatry. Principal lecturer, Faculty of Health. St George’s Hospital Medical School.

Suzie Ruggles. Project Director & Complementary Therapies co-ordinator, Haemato-oncology.

Management Committee

Alison Hughes, Head of Nursing Specialist and Geriatric Medicine.

Laura O’Regan. Bone Marrow Transplant co-ordinator. Haematology.

Chris Harte. Nurse Consultant Liaison Psychiatry. Principal lecturer, Faculty of Health. St George’s Hospital Medical School.

Suzie Ruggles. Chair. Project Director & Complementary Therapies co-ordinator, Haemato-oncology.

Eric Evans. Patient advocate.

Su Ryan. Patient advocate.

Scientific Advisors

James L. Oschman, Ph.D.

We are delighted that Dr James Oschman has accepted our invitation to join Full Circle Fund as one of our scientific advisors. Jim is one of the few academic research scientists who has explored the basis for complementary medicines and has developed useful insights which can help all therapists better understand and explain what they do, as well as presenting scientists with a theoretical basis for the physiology and biophysics of energy medicines. He has published 26 full-length scientific articles in academic scientific journals and 40 articles in alternative and complementary therapy journals. In his work, he refers to the same science that provides the foundation for modern clinical medicine.

Jim has both the academic credentials and the background in complementary and alternative therapies to carry out his explorations. He has degrees in Biophysics and Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. He has worked in major research labs around the world. These include Cambridge University, England, Case-Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, the University of Copenhagen, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Jim continues his research and writing in Dover, New Hampshire, where he is President of Nature's Own Research Association. Jim is increasingly sought after to lecture to medical professionals at various hospitals. He is involved in the development of medical devices and other applications of energy medicine.

Jim Oschman is the author of a ground-breaking book, Energy Medicine: the scientific basis, (2000) Harcourt Brace/Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. This book is giving the most sceptical academic scientists a theoretical basis for exploring the physiology and biophysics of energy medicines.

His has also published a new book, Energy Medicine in Therapeutics and Human Performance, (2003) Harcourt Health Sciences/Butterworth Heineman, Oxford. This book breaks new ground by documenting the existence of a high-speed communication system that extends throughout the human body and that responds to the energetic environment.

for more information on Dr James Oschman: http://www.energyresearch.bizland.com/
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Tina Glynn RGN, ITEC Dip. Massage, IFA Dip. Aromatherapy, BSc. (Hons), MSc.

Co-Founder

Tina trained as a registered nurse in Southampton and completed the oncology course at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London in 1990. She has worked in both radiotherapy and chemotherapy units at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, Merseyside, Epsom Hospital and St. George’s Hospital, London. In 1998 she became Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care and since 2005 she has been leading the Palliative Care service at St. George’s Hospital as Senior Nurse. During her career Tina developed a keen interest in complementary therapies and witnessed how many of her patients were benefiting from them. She gained qualifications in massage and aromatherapy and wherever possible tries to incorporate these into her practice. Tina was instrumental in setting up a massage service at Epsom hospital in 1997; this has since grown into a comprehensive complementary therapy service. She coordinated the complementary therapy service within the Oncology department at St. George’s from 2000 - 2006. Tina gained a MSc., with merit, in complementary therapies from the University of Westminster in 2005. In June 2006 Tina became Complementary Therapies Programme Manager, at The London Haven; a support centre for people affected by breast cancer. She has a special interest in research, audit and evaluation of complementary therapies within the clinical setting.
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Laura is the BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) Coordinator on Ruth Myles Unit. She is dedicated to the satisfactory preparation and support of BMT patients and their families. Her special interests are Medical Ethics and Law, Quality management and Holistic health care. She hopes to continue to be supportive and empowering for BMT patients' pre and through their treatment. She acts as an advocate when necessary for patients' needs and is an information resource for the team. She is an integral part of the coordination and management of the BMT service.
She trained in Cork, Ireland in General Nursing. She has worked in Ireland, Sydney and London in Haemato-Oncology. Her specialist Degree is in Oncology / Cancer Nursing at the Royal Marsden Hospital. She has spent a number of years working in Oncology Research at the Royal Marsden Hospital and at St Georges Hospital, London. Her management experience is in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Her experience with complementary medicine spans over several years. She believes that we can all benefit from holistic medicine. She currently runs a Reiki share group from home. She says: "I feel privileged that my journey in complementary medicine has become the journey of others through this opportunity. May the energy this brings, continue to sustain lives. "
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Eric Evans

Co-Founder

Eric is an international businessman with 35 years of experience in running his own businesses spanning from Jersey to Scotland, Africa to Spain and the United States. Mainly involved in developing property he operates from offices in Jersey where he is a resident. In 1997 Eric was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder, Myelofibrosis a life-threatening condition which affects the production of the bone marrow, requiring intensive and extensive treatment to support the bone marrow function. In September 2004 he received a "Matched Unrelated Donor" (MUD) transplant. He says: "I have never felt so good and remain healthy, taking much better care of myself and living every day for the moment. I only stopped working for 8 weeks, including my time in hospital, and find that I am enjoying the journey far better in the knowledge that I was given a second chance in life, by both my donor and the experience and care of the Ruth Myles Unit at St. George’s Hospital and their entire team" He continues: "Having been through a life changing experience I want to show my support for the Full Circle Fund as we endeavour to change a natural fear in patients facing a bone marrow transplant, by helping to prepare each person for the best positive outcome through knowledge, appreciation and example of successful bone marrow transplant case histories." To read more of Eric’s inspirational story...
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Su Ryan

Co-Founder & Lead Regional Fundraiser

In August 2002, at the age of 19, Su was diagnosed with Very Severe Aplastic Anaemia (VSAA) a life-threatening bone marrow failure. Due to the severity of her illness she remained in an isolation room for 9 months. Throughout this time she waited in the hope that a suitable bone marrow transplant donor would be found. A matching donor was eventually found and in January 2003 she received a "Matched Unrelated Donor" (MUD) bone marrow transplant. She says: "During these 9 months I received excellent conventional care alongside different supportive therapies. I found these supportive therapies amazing because they worked alongside my medical treatments, and helped me to cope emotionally with the isolation, but most of all I feel that alongside my transplant it helped me have the strength to get through everything." She continues: "This is one of the main reasons I support the Full Circle Fund and it’s work. I want to help people who are going through similar battles as I have, and give them the opportunity to receive a therapy that not just supports them to get better, but also helps them feel good about themselves. What better reason to support a charity than the fact that it stands for everything I want to help achieve for patients who are going through the rollercoaster that I have ridden." To read more of Su’s inspirational story...
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Moyna Talmadge-Long

Occupational Therapy BSc First Class Hons. Reiki I, II, Master.

Before coming to work at St George’s hospital in the Occupational Therapy department in 2001, Moyna spent many years working and volunteering with children and adults with physical and mental disabilities both in the UK and abroad. In 1998 she worked as a life-guard teaching profoundly disabled children to swim in the USA, she says: "I learnt such a lot there about the importance of communication and empowering individuals to learn skills that they could then use in their lives."

In 2001 she embarked on a four year degree in Occupational Therapy at Brighton, during this time she worked full time at St Georges as an Occupational therapy assistant and technician. In her final year she was diagnosed with Dyspraxia in addition to her Dyslexia and it was during this stressful time that she decided to empower herself with coping strategies. In 2003 Moyna trained in Reiki 1, she went on to become attuned to Reiki 2 and then Masters Level in 2005 She says: "Reiki for me, is a way of life and has had such a positive impact on many areas of my life, I practice daily. Reiki is a wonderful therapy as it is holistic and gentle and definitely enabled me to complete my degree". Moyna completed her degree with First class honours.

Her experience in Occupational therapy has covered Trauma and Orthopaedics, vascular, care of the elderly, acute medicine and Oncology. She says: "As an Occupational Therapist, I view the individual as central to the process. Our focus is to empower that individual to reach their full potential through the use of meaningful activities. This approach is holistic and takes into account that a person is not just a diagnosis, but made up of many elements, each as important as the other. It recognises that if one element is out of balance, so it has a profound effect on the system as a whole."

"I would love to see Reiki and other supportive therapies being integrated in the treatment of patients in the NHS. There is a lot of research being done around this topic, and more is needed to support application within the NHS. I am particularly interested in research and contributing to this body of knowledge. I am excited about the future of integrated therapies within the health service and see a huge potential for therapies to run alongside conventional medicine. I am honoured to have been asked to be part of the Full Circle Research team as they too are committed to undertaking rigorous research which will become the underpinning foundations of supporting the application of integrative therapies within the NHS".
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