Patient support groups can help put you in touch with other people who may have similar health problems, and may understand what you might be experiencing. Together you can share useful information, support and ideas. 

Our ICU Support Group is an opportunity for post-intensive care patients to get together with people who have had similar experiences.

Our group is here for people who feel that they might benefit from some support after a spell in intensive care. This might be because things aren’t going quite right or just an opportunity to hear from others about how they have coped and what support is available.

Meetings are very informal with the chance for discussion in small groups as well as talks from health professionals or patients.  Patients as well as family and friends are welcome. 

The ICU patient support group meets early evening three times a year in March, June, and October.

Patients will receive details about the Support Group at your Rehabilitation Clinic appointment, or you can email us on khft.icurehab@nhs.net.

ICU Steps

A national charity offering support for patients and families.  ICU Steps publish a guide to intensive care, available in 18 languages on their website and a range of information sheets.  Voicemail: 0300 30 20 121

Our group offers a warm welcome and support around better managing tinnitus.

The regular group meetings and occasional talks and presentations from guest speakers, enable people to come together to understand more about tinnitus and share their experiences and coping skills. We usually meet on the third Thursday evening of every month, either in person at Kingston Hospital or via MS Teams.

The group is open to people experiencing tinnitus directly, as well as to their partners and other family members.

Group meetings are unstructured in nature so to allow attendees to lead the course of the meetings. Sometimes guest speakers are invited.

During the meetings people are encouraged to share their experiences and feelings, actively participate, respect the need for confidentiality and give everyone a chance to talk.

For further information

Please email us at khn-tr.audiology@nhs.net or call us on 020 8934 6404. You can also find the Kingston Tinnitus on Facebook.

For tinnitus help and support call the Tinnitus UK on 0800 018 0527 or Visit Tinnitus UK Website.

We are a patient led self-help support group for people living with chronic pain.

Our aim is to provide an environment where members feel supported and are able to share their experiences with others who understand how it is to live with chronic pain.

The group was started in June 2018 by patients from the Kingston Hospital Pain Clinic with the support of the Pain Management Department. We are a relaxed and informal group and hold regular meetings which begin with tea and a chat.

There will usually be a relaxation session and a gentle stretch session for those who want to join in. Other activities are decided by the group. Past activities include: Picnics in Richmond Park, hand painting pottery at studio 432 and a trip to Richmond panto.

We currently meet online at 12pm on Monday. Membership is £12 per year (this can be waived if you are on a low income).

If you have any questions, would like to join, or simply would like to know more about the group please email us: thepainconnectionuk@outlook.com

The Kingston Haematology Patient Support Group was set up in March 2020 with the Haematology Day Unit at Kingston Hospital.

We work closely with the nurses in the Day Unit.  The Day Unit, where we have our treatment and blood tests, is in the Sir William Rous building.

Our patient support group provides emotional and practical support for patients with Myeloma, Leukaemia and Lymphoma. Patients support each other. Family and carers are also welcome.

If you are newly diagnosed, we are especially keen to hear from you and to offer you our support. You can access our Kingston Haematology Patient Support Group agreement here.

For those who do not have IT, contact is mainly over the phone and by post. If you would like to join our online meetings but are unsure how to use Zoom – we can teach you. So please do ask!

Further information:

Other support organisations

A good source of information and support is given by the charities representing our interests, e.g. Myeloma UK at www.myeloma.org.uk. For those who cannot access the internet, there is a free helpline. Call on: 0800 980 3332. The Myeloma Infoline is available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.  

There is also www.lymphoma-action.org.uk and www.leukaemiacare.org.uk    

Welcome to the Kingston branch of Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK is the leading charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of every person affected by or at risk of diabetes.  We provide information, help and peer support, so people with diabetes can manage their condition effectively. We are one of the largest funders of diabetes research in the UK.

Currently there are over 8000 people in the Royal Borough of Kingston diagnosed as having a diabetic condition and national indicators are that there must be almost a further 2,000 who are unaware and undiagnosed.

This group meets monthly and have a programme of to get involved in, covering all ages, as well as Type 1 or Type 2 conditions.

The group is not only for those with a diabetic condition but also family, friends and carers, as well as others who may have worries or concerns about acquiring the condition. We are here for you.

The Kingston branch of Diabetes UK formed in October 2015 and have made great progress and helped a lot of people since that time. In Summer 2019 we were the proud recipient of a Diabetes UK Inspire Award Nomination. Ideas on how the group can progress, as well as raise much-needed funds for additional diabetes research are very welcome.

We look forward to having you join us. Perhaps you could even take part and shape the future of the group. Please get in touch with us by email at: rbklocaldiabetesgroup@gmail.com

For other further information and support please also see the Diabetes UK website.