Has Woman's Hour ever done an item on thyroid problems?

[Christabel]

They often ask for suggestions for items for the programme, and they have a large audience. It might be something they'd be interested in looking at.

[PinkNinja]

10 years ago, apparently

bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour...

It's worth a try as it's been so long.

Carolyn x

[helvella Administrator in reply to PinkNinja]

I agree - they have a much shorter repeat cycle for other disorders. (And I don't mean a formal "how often" but, when the issue is discussed "yes - we haven't done that for ages".) I suspect they do not realise quite how prevalent thyroid issues are.

[Hidden]

I've sent an email to the BBC (my first ever!)

news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/uk...

entitled

'Public Awareness of Thyroid Problems' and link to the Scottish parliament video and TUK.

perhaps if others did too it may make a difference?

If you want to add your comments to the Scottish Parliament, en mass, email

[e-mail] by Sunday 3rd March 2013.

thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

J

[Hidden]

My next door neighbour works for the Woman's Hour team, and on my behalf she drew up a proposal for a programme last year - they weren't interested.

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Hidden]

ooo, any chance of trying again..!? xx

[Hidden]

I'll certainly ask Louise, but the impression my neighbour got was that they'd already covered it - I believe Lyn was interviewed - and they didn't feel inclined to do it again.

S

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Sue

xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

rats..... at least Thyroid stuff is regularly featured in the Daily Mail!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I emailed my neighbour yesterday Louise and got this reply:

"Actually, I think it would be worth trying again. A year has gone by and the programme has a new editor so if there is any recent research/studies/reports or really good case studies they can highlight, then yes, I think it is worth a go.

I'll explain more verbally as and when!"

Mxx

I'm sure you could come up with a "really good case study"....or two! My advice would be don't raise your hopes too high - it seems the way WH decides what it is and isn't interested in is totally unpredictable. Nevertheless, this is a positive response, and I know my friend will do her best for us as she's seen how much I've been suffering.

Sue

xx

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sue

Brilliant! Will pass this on to Lyn!

Louise

xx

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK]

Excellent news! I will write to themand mention the Scottish Parliament - that might make them sit up!

[Hidden in reply to lynmynott]

Hi Lynn - Before reading this I'd just spoken to my contact and she recommended having a 'peg' - i.e. a reason for publicising it at this particular time. I mentioned the Scottish Parliament and she said "perfect".

She also recommends having a human interest angle - i.e. a dramatic case study. No shortage of those I imagine.

If you'd like her to give them the proposal she's willing to do it in a Woman's Hour-friendly form, but if you prefer to approach them yourself of course you should.

Sue

[dimples53 in reply to Hidden]

what could be more dramatic than the two women's stories as told to the Scottish Parliament? The woman on the right of the picture had been 13 stone, bald and wearing a wig and suicidally depressed just a year earlier - because of poor treatment of her thyroid condition. I used to work for Woman's Hour myself but if they want drama (plus the stats that 1:3 people have thyroid disorders - and 90% of those are female) then this is the story.

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK]

That would be great - I'm not going to be in the office for a couple of weeks as from Tuesday although Louise will be keeping me informed of what's going on and deal with anything urgent for me!

[Hidden in reply to lynmynott]

I shall also be away for 2 weeks as of Monday 11th, so if you want to put an outline together I'll make sure my contact gets it before I go. You'd also need to have someone lined up who is willing to be interviewed.

S

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK]

Hi Sue-F, Unfortunately, I won't be able to do this by the 11th. I have a report to write today for the Scottish Parliament and the reason I'm away is that I'm going into hospital. Can I contact you again when you get back?