Meningitis Research Foundation is a national registered charity whose vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia.  The charity funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. The Foundation promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected.

Based on research and consultation with health professionals and their national associations, the Foundation produces guidance notes and algorithms to promote best practice in recognition and treatment of patients with these diseases.  These include:

• Vital Signs for Frontline Nurses – Early Recognition of Meningitis and Septicaemia (pocket card)
• Early Management of Suspected Bacterial Meningitis and Meningococcal Septicaemia in Immunocompetent Adults (poster and leaflet)
• Vital Signs, Vital Issues – Recognition and Prevention of Meningitis and Septicaemia: Help for Community Practitioners (booklet)
• Meningococcal Meningitis and Septicaemia – Guidance Notes for Diagnosis and Treatment in General Practice (booklet and wall-chart)
• Meningococcal Septicaemia – Identification and Management for Ambulance Personnel (pocket card and poster)

The management algorithm contained within this e-learning tool: Early Management of Meningococcal Disease in Children (5th edition) is also available separately as a leaflet and poster.

The Foundation organises targeted scientific and medical conferences and other training events.

The charity operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline 080 8800 3344 (UK) or 1800 41 33 44  (Republic of Ireland).  At all hours of the day or night, trained staff and nurses speak to callers concerned about meningitis and septicaemia, provide information for people dealing with a case, and offer support and befriending to patients and their families whether they are currently ill, recovering, coping with after effects, or bereaved.

The Foundation runs public awareness campaigns, and produces a range of targeted public information resources that describe the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, including

• Race Against Time (leaflet and poster, for all)
• Meningitis Babywatch (card and poster, for parents and other carers of babies)
• Meningitis & Septicaemia: Totwatch (leaflet, for parents and other carers of toddlers)
• Meningitis Get it Sussed (card and poster, for young adults)
• Am I at Risk? (leaflet, for people anxious after a case in their community)

as well as generic symptoms information, a DVD and video for health promotion activities, infomercials, and written and audio information (mp3 format) in 17 ethnic minority languages.

The charity also produces support resources for people affected by meningitis and / or septicaemia and those who care for them, including Meningitis and Septicaemia – What Happens Next? a booklet explaining the sequelae of meningitis and septicaemia.  All of the charity’s materials, including this e-learning tool on CD, can be obtained free of charge by calling any of our offices, or through our website:

www.meningitis.org

Registered Office:

Midland Way  Thornbury  Bristol  BS35 2BS Tel 01454 281811	71 Botanic Avenue  Belfast  BT7 1JL Tel 028 9032 1283
133 Gilmore Place  Edinburgh  EH3 9PP Tel 0131 2283322	63 Lower Gardiner Street Dublin 1 Tel 01 819 6931

A charity registered in England and Wales No 1091105 and CHY 12030 in Republic of Ireland