Hi everyone

I have come into this debate rather late but as someone who uses both the Forum and HU on a regular basis felt I should jot down my two 'penneth!

It does seem as though the written word has, on this occasion, been taken out of its intended context and the original concerns have been waylaid by other matters that might be more appropriately addressed by phone or email with NRAS.

As regards HU and blogs, in particular the regular NRAS blogs, it was decided that the 'charity' blogs would be added to HU and Emma posted on HU accordingly on 18.3.11. The blog explains how this came about; I assumed that it had been a general decision made by NRAS. I, like Jean, also commented on HU that particularly useful information would perhaps be best added to each resource so everyone can benefit from the knowledge and expertise available. It looks as though our comments were not picked up ... things become very easily 'buried' on HU! Good news that the blogs are/will be back on the NRAS website.

There are a number of things in relation to the Forum and the HU site that I have been mulling over for some time. Both are excellent resources when put to their best use. Both have, in my opinion, issues that need addressing. This is not the place to do that but I will be in touch with Katy and Ailsa after the weekend.

My loyalties lie with this forum which offers information, help, advice, a listening ear and above all, for me, friendship (often in the middle of the night!!). Where else can you get that for 20 good old UK quids?!

Come back soon Rich

Lyn x

Ladies & Gents,

Thanks to all of you who have not only brought several valid issues to our attention, particularly to those of you who took the time and effort to email one or other of us here at NRAS HQ and offer support and advice on the subject of forums, blogs and social networking in general.

I’m afraid that I am not here to tell you that we have found the perfect solution, we have, however, spent a lot of time on this and hope to be working towards a solution that will suit everybody soon.

I have spoken to the current moderators about the situation and have been brightly informed by all of them that they haven’t been on the forum for ages, months in most cases and almost a year in one case. You can all rest easy that there has been no intrusive 1984 type moderating at all. There are several people who bring things to our attention when necessary but that is an option available to all of you. This puts us in an interesting position whereby we can revisit the issue of moderating, canvas you all for offers to “step up to the plate”, look at the role itself, offer some training and advertise to the wider forum community who these people are and what exactly their role is. Obviously this is a work in progress, but as a starting point we have looked at suggesting that the moderators provide 2 functions, firstly to ensure that nobody is treated badly or singled out by others and if so to bring this to our attention and secondly to encourage that any advice offered on medical grounds is done so as an option/possibility/suggestion and not as a medical fact – and if this is in question to bring this to our attention so that we can get a formal medically trained professional comment on that particular statement.

To start us off LynW has offered her services. This is a very kind gesture, particularly in light of previous comments about the service that moderators provide. I hope that you will be kind to her and appreciate that it is precisely her ability to “step up” like this that makes her the fantastic contributor to the forum that she is. She is always quick to offer support and a friendly ear, particularly to newcomers and is just the type of person that we would like to be involved in a more formal way. Your thoughts on her offer (and our obviously implied acceptance of it!) are gratefully appreciated.

Secondly, RichC has thrown his hat in to the ring. I hope that you will agree that his contribution as a fully qualified CAB officer have been absolutely invaluable over the last few months, particularly with the issues surrounding benefits being so important in the current economic climate. Any thoughts about his offer (which also has us readily waiting to shake his hand in acceptance!) are also appreciated.

As for the NRAS staff weekly blogs, we have rectified the situation and added them back in to the blogging section of the website, all of the missing ones are now there, there is a link from the home page and we will continue to update this as and when the blogs on HU are updated.

We have had some feedback that there is a lot of repetition on similar subjects buried in amongst the threads here on the forum. It has been suggested that we try to set up an FAQ type section whereby your best bits of support/recommendations etc are put in one place – Initially for the newly diagnosed, but possibly on other regularly visited topics like pain management/fatigue etc. I am not sure whether this will be possible within the forum – it may have to be on the website under an advertisement for the forum perhaps?? Do any of you have any thoughts about this?

For those of you with concerns about inaccurate information being passed on elsewhere on the site (HealthUnlocked), we have been taking this issue very seriously and are looking at several different avenues to improve the situation and ensure that it is the best blogging platform that it can be. This would not have happened if you hadn’t drawn our attention to it. We have now taken an inventory of it – which has been a very useful exercise and will only serve to improve the service platforms that we offer to all of you who live with RA.

As I said at the start – this isn’t a solution, it is a starting point.

If you want to continue the discussion either privately by email or publically by replying to this thread, please feel free.

As many of you know my feelings on the forum already I'll keep this short.

The forum is an essential part of NRAS, it's what brought so many of us together as friends, but is also a wonderful resource for all aspects of RA from people who have experience of the good and bad times.

Many people might not be close enough to an NRAS group, so the forum was a wonderful way of having that same experience, friendship and understanding where ALL members could benefit.

Sticky topics in each section might be an idea for frequently asked questions as the wealth of knowledge is fantastic and it's something everyone can contribute to.

I look forward to the future and the support that we can all give each other :)

Jo. xx

PS Congrats to Lyn and Rich two great moderators I feel.

I would also like to add my support for Lyn and Rich to become moderators.
I also like the idea of having a medical professional to help with some of our issues by joing in with some of the topics.
Maybe it would be a good idea to have a prominent disclaimer somewhere to state that any suggestions put forward by the members do not necessarily reflect the the beliefs of NRAS and that it is always best to consult a medical professional if in doubt?

I think it's fantastic that both Lyn and Rich have offered to be involved. I think their contribution will be invaluable. We are so lucky to have such knowledgable people who are prepared to help in this way.

Thanks

I like the idea of lyn and Rich being moderators on the forum. they have a wealth of knowledge that we are privileged to tap into. I always look forward to their posts.
Also like the idea of a medical profesional to help sometimes too.
suev

Trust you to be different!!

Hi

Just echoing everyone elses comments, Lyn and Rich will be great moderators. They so often post such helpful and relevant information.

I would not want to be without this site, it is an invaluable source of support, information and encouragment.

Have a good weekend everbody

Sue

Thank you to you all for your support of both Rich and myself. Much appreciated

This place is a wonderful source of knowledge and companionship and I would like to think that with time more members will join/rejoin our ranks. I'm sure there are many users of Health Unlocked who would benefit from the wealth and variety of information available on here . I do like it here

Of late, I haven't been sleeping too well so have 'saved' my Forum visits for the early hours of the morning when I have to play quietly I have had two consecutive nights of good sleep, haven't left my bed once on either night! Consequently I think I might have quite a bit of reading to catch up with this weekend

Lyn x

PS Rich, I hadn't realised that there is a back door to the forum!

Just wanted to add my thanks to Rich and Lyn. You both do a wonderful job xx