Cardiff Lupus Group

04/02/2026

02/02/2026

🩸 People living in the Vale of Glamorgan can now borrow blood pressure monitors from their local library. The scheme is similar to the one already available in Cardiff Hubs and Libraries, helping more people across Cardiff and Vale to monitor their blood pressure at home. Learn more about it ⬇️

02/02/2026

This month is , which raises awareness about heart health and the importance of preventing heart disease.

can impact heart health and it is important to know more about its effects.

You can find out more about how lupus affects the heart through our publication here: https://bit.ly/4bkGMk6

02/02/2026

February is Raynaud's Awareness Month. Raynaud's Disease or Raynaud's Phenomenon affects the extremities, usually the fingers and toes, but can also impact the ears, nose, chin, or cheeks in rare cases.

There are two types of Raynaud's. It can either be:
-Primary Raynaud's: when the condition develops by itself (this is the most common type).
-Secondary Raynaud's: when it develops in association with another health condition.

For those living with Raynaud's, the small blood vessels in the fingers and toes are more sensitive than usual to cold temperatures. This sensitivity causes the blood vessels to spasm, narrowing them still further much, allowing much less blood to flow through them.

To learn more and access our Raynaud's resources, click here: https://www.arthritisireland.ie/raynauds

30/01/2026

🛌We know how important sleep is for our overall health and how better sleep can support us in managing symptoms like fatigue and pain with .

🌝 In this short video, < 3 minutes, Dr. Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of Oxford, shares the 5 principles of good sleep health: valuing, prioritising, personalising, protecting, and trusting sleep.

🎥 Check it out! https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/the-5-principles-of-good-sleep-health/

26/01/2026

It has been reported that the National Pharmacy Association and the Independent Pharmacies Association have encountered significant difficulties in sourcing aspirin.

Some people with early stages of kidney disease are prescribed (under supervision) low dose aspirin to help reduce risk of strokes and heart attack. Where there are potential medicine shortages affecting commonly prescribed items like aspirin we believe that pharmacists should have leeway to substitute for an alternative rather than having a prescription re-issued. There is precedent for this, having seen protocols put in place when the UK left the EU and during the Covid-19 pandemic, both occasions when the supply of certain medicines was at risk. It is also important that alongside this, there is clear communication from primary care around the medications people are taking, and why any changes are being applied, along with the opportunity for people to ask any questions or raise any concerns they may have.

Read more here 👉 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/aspirin-shortage-uk-export-ban-b2906217.html

25/01/2026

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus, pawb! Today, we’re celebrating love in all its forms here in Wales. 🥰

From romantic relationships, to the love we share with friends and family, and the love we show ourselves by looking after our health, it’s a good moment to appreciate what really matters. 💖🌹

23/01/2026

NICE have recommended that a new treatment, obinutuzumab, can be used in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to treat some patients with lupus nephritis in the NHS in England and Wales.

👉 Learn more at https://lupusuk.org.uk/latest-news/

22/01/2026

🌟 This week, NICE has approved a new treatment for lupus nephritis in England and Wales — a positive step forward for everyone affected by this condition. For people still living with active lupus nephritis, this brings hope. It is also an important reminder that lupus research is moving forward, and that people living with the condition are being heard and supported with better, more targeted care.

💜 Learn more in the Kidney Care UK post below.

We welcome the approval of the new treatment of Lupus Nephritis in England and Wales. This medicine is a monoclonal antibody, which is made to target a specific protein in the body called CD20. It’s a newer type of monoclonal antibody treatment which the body is less likely to react against, so we’re hopeful it will be very helpful for people with this condition.

A recent study found people who received this treatment were less likely to have a deterioration in their kidney function by the end of the trial than those receiving a placebo. It’s encouraging to see more treatments for lupus, which affects many younger people and is a difficult condition to manage, so we hope that lots of people with it are able to benefit from this.

Read more here 👉 https://kidneycareuk.org/news-from-kidney-care-uk/nice-recommends-two-medicines-to-treat-conditions-causing-kidney-disease/
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

20/01/2026

🩺🧑‍⚕️CAVUHB: If you have a a rash, sore throat, a UTI or conjunctivitis, you can access help conveniently and locally at your community pharmacy.

Pharmacists can provide free NHS advice and treatment for 27 common conditions without the need to see your GP, including ⬇️

Your local Pharmacist should be your first port of call, and your Primary Choice, for healthcare advice and treatment for minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, headaches and diarrhoea.

17/01/2026

❗ With immediate effect, due to the significant number of Norovirus cases across patients and staff, we are now introducing visiting with a purpose at the Royal Gwent Hospital. ❗ We currently have 90 patients and 28 staff members affected.

Norovirus spreads very easily and can have a serious impact on vulnerable patients and the safe running of our services. We know Norovirus is circulating across our communities and we need everyone's support to keep our hospitals safe.

This decision to introduce visiting with a purpose has not been taken lightly, but it is necessary to protect the health of our patients and staff and to reduce further transmission of norovirus, which is circulating across Gwent.

We ask that everyone contact the ward before visiting. Visitors who arrive without prior contact may be turned away.
If you are visiting any of our sites, it is essential that you do not have any of the following symptoms:
- Sickness or diarrhoea
- A cough
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, please do not visit any of our hospitals or sites until at least 48 hours after symptoms have fully resolved.

If visiting any site, it is important that you:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- Wear a mask at all times

Visiting with a purpose includes essential wellbeing needs such as delivering fresh clothing and personal items, supporting mental wellbeing, and end-of-life care. If you are unsure whether your visit is appropriate, please speak to the ward team, who can advise you.

Anyone with an appointment should still attend unless they are displaying symptoms.

How you can help to ease the pressure on our local NHS services:

Choose the right service for your needs – our Emergency Department is for life-threatening emergencies only. For other care, please consider:
-Local pharmacies for expert advice and treatment
-NHS 111 online or by phone for urgent advice
-Minor Injury Units for broken bones, wounds, burns, and minor head injuries (find your nearest MIU: https://orlo.uk/nyRTE)

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us keep our patients and staff safe during this challenging time.

13/01/2026

✨ New year, fresh start! Join our first online support group meeting of 2026. Everyone is welcome—newly diagnosed or long-time members. Let’s catch up, share, and look ahead together 🦋

🗓 When: Wednesday, 28th January at 7pm
💻 Zoom link: dalila.volunteer@lupusuk.org.uk

See you there!