NISIG’s Visits to Cork Clinics

During European Infertility week I had the opportunity to visit both Waterstones and Sim’s clinics in Cork to share the good work of NISIG! To say the least it was an experience to go back as I have been a patient of both clinics in the past but this time walking through the doors of both clinics I had no nerves or a thousand questions running through my head! This time I knew I was going to talk to both clinics about the work that NISIG does and the great benefit that I got from attending support meetings when I was going through treatment. On the Tuesday I visited Waterstones and spoke to staff who very kindly gave up their lunch to come and have a chat with me about the work of NISIG and how it would benefit the patients that are passing through their doors. While I was waiting to meet everyone it was great to see the NISIG information already available on the mantle of the waiting room fireplace. I explained the work of NISIG in both advocacy and patient support. I gifted a set of books for different donor families that the clinic were welcome to use with their patients as well as leaflets. Our discussions centered around what supports NISIG could offer current patients and we spoke about support meeting both online and in person. I expressed the value I got from these when I was going through treatment. I also highlighted the online chat that is available twice a week and the helpline that is available thanks to Helen on an almost 24 hour basis! Some of the staff spoke about how they have referred patients previously and chat lead to how they could signpost patients to NISIG going forward. Many thanks to Ria for facilitating this meeting.

On Thursday it was the turn of Sims in Cork where I meet Amanda and a couple of familiar faces popped in to say Hi from my treatment days there. I had a good discussion with Amanda regarding the services offered by NISIG. I also gifted some of NISIG donor family books and leaflets. Amanda spoke about the new donor program that SIMS were launching and explained that all information would be sent to patients electronically now and that it may be useful if the NISIG information leaflet was available to them electronically and this could be sent to all patients participating in this new programme.

The enthusiasm from both clinics was encouraging to hear and gives hope that the relationships between NISIG and the clinics will continue to grow. I thanked both clinics for the sponsorship which NISIG receives from them to help provide these essential services. Without their financial contributions NISIG would not be in a position to do as much. I also discussed the benefits to parents when they come through their fertility journey, such as parent & kids meets ups and donor disclosure workshops. I look forward to strengthening connections with the clinics into+ the future.