Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Ronald

Ronald has diabetes and heart problems and has had an operation to remove his gall bladder. He thinks he also has a hernia but this has never been investigated or treated. His diabetes was controlled by tablets until he moved onto insulin 7 years ago.

  • Background

    Ronald is married with one grown-up child. He is a retired electrical craftsman. Ethnic Background: White.

  • Age at interview 70
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Gogs

    Gogs was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and then a related lung condition. Becoming ill in retirement came as a shock as she had previously been healthy and had little contact with health services. Her RA is poorly controlled and she worries about an uncertain prognosis.

  • Background

    Gogs is a former advanced nurse practitioner who lives with her husband and has 2 grown up children. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Eric

    Eric found out he had heart trouble whilst holidaying abroad a few years after he had been diagnosed with diabetes. However, an enlarged prostate causes him most problems and he has to plan routes with accessible toilets. He has recently discovered he has a stone in his bladder.

  • Background

    Eric is a retired television engineer and sales manager. He is married with two adult children. Ethnic Background: British.

  • Age at interview 84
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Graham

    Graham was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 20 years ago. He mainly copes without medication through his own exercise regimen. He developed labyrynthitis following an allergic reaction to eye drops in hospital, and also has an irregular heartbeat.

  • Background

    Graham lives with his wife and runs his own business. He has 2 grown up children. Graham is a tutor on the Expert Patients Programme and believes that people need...

  • Age at interview 66
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Pat

    Pat has diabetes, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), an abnormal heartbeat and has had a skin tumour removed. Whilst she considers herself well for her age, Pat experiences everyday problems from IBS and diabetes which have complicated other illnesses and treatments.

  • Background

    Pat is a retired psychologist who lives with her husband. She has 4 grown up children, 2 of whom work in medicine and can be referred to for advice. Ethnic...

  • Age at interview 80
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Fred

    Whilst Fred has heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, his main day-to-day problems stem from Meniere's Syndrome, which affects his hearing and is characterised by unpredictable attacks. Fred has been in hospital for many operations since his forties.

  • Background

    Fred is a retired inspection engineer. He lives with his wife and has three grown up children in their 50s. Ethnic background: White English.

  • Age at interview 85
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Amy

    Amy has chronic pain and fatigue, diabetes and asthma, and has experienced a brain injury. She spent 7 months in hospital in 2013 being treated for necrotising pancreatitis, a life changing event resulting in the removal of most of her pancreas.

  • Background

    Amy lives with her family. Her health problems mean she is currently unable to work. Ethnic background: White Welsh.

  • Age at interview 25
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • John

    John had a heart attack at 52 after which he retired. A spinal condition has the biggest impact on his life. He is not allowed to take some of the recommended treatments because of his other health conditions. John advises people to talk to others about their health problems and seek advice on the Internet.

  • Background

    John is a retired consultant in microbiology. He has volunteered for patients groups and acted as a hospital trust board member. He is married with one grown up child. Ethnic...

  • Age at interview 77
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Nigel

    Nigel has cardiovascular problems, type II diabetes and a history of strokes and depression; he is waiting for a hernia operation. He feels tired all the time and attributes his worsening health to caring for his parents. His diabetes is poorly controlled.

  • Background

    Nigel is divorced with 3 adult children. He is a self-employed driver and also cares for his parents. Ethnic Background: White British.

  • Age at interview 58
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Madelon

    Madelon has little strokes and diabetes. She has been treated for stomach cancer and has had both knees replaced. She believes that her health problems are a result of being overweight.

  • Background

    Madelon is a retired housewife. Ethnic Background: White.

  • Age at interview 93
  • Sex/Gender Female