andrewbaillie
19th July, 2001, 7:18 PM
Hi all! Just thought I'd pop in and share my experience of a day spent in the MS Therapy centre in Glasgow.
When I arrived in the morning I was introduced to a couple of the physios that work there and had a chat with them both about the work that they do and about MS and also about the patients that come in.
I didnt have any set activities for the day and it was made clear that I was to just move about and talk to people when possible.
I spent some time talking to patients that had come in and also their carers if they were required to be there. It soon became clear that it wasnt just a clinic where people come for treatment, but a social circle where some people actually pop in just for a coffee and a chat.
The kind of treatments they offer are things such as Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, aromatherapy and reflexology, physio, exercise classes and numerous counselling sessions.
I also had a chance to have a chat with the clinical aromatherapist and reflexologist and gain an insight into the kind of work that she does. I also got the opportunity to speak with the 'head' physio, and the technicians who were responsible for the running of the oxygen chambers.
I got the chance to have a look in the chambers and also to see people during the hour long treatment period. It was surprising how relaxed they were in what I considered to be a rather claustrophobic environment (they were happy reading books and magazines, and also sometimes play cards or dominoes).
The technicians explained the operation of the chambers and also the benefits that many people find from the treatment (even though there is no scientific evidence for its use).
The main difference I found with other clinics was that it is a very informal environment. The staff do not have uniforms, everyone communicates on a first name basis and there are no name badges. The staff are all extremely friendly and I was made to feel very welcome by both them and the 'regulars'.
The main thing that I was told to realise about this therapy centre was that it is based on what the patient thinks they need rather than what the staff think is what they need. During my chat with one of the physios she showed me one of their assessment forms which they fill in with the patient. They perform the necessary tests and fill in what they think is required to help, but they also ask the patient what they think the problems are and the best way to work throught them. These are then discussed before a final decision is reached.
The opinion about the NHS and its treatment of MS seems to be very much that after diagnosis, the doctors (consultants) say there is no cure and to come back in 2 years for the next appointment.
Therapy centres such as this are a great help to these people. They even offer counselling for newly diagnosed people.
All in all, it was a very interesting day and I feel that I learned a lot from this experience.
When I arrived in the morning I was introduced to a couple of the physios that work there and had a chat with them both about the work that they do and about MS and also about the patients that come in.
I didnt have any set activities for the day and it was made clear that I was to just move about and talk to people when possible.
I spent some time talking to patients that had come in and also their carers if they were required to be there. It soon became clear that it wasnt just a clinic where people come for treatment, but a social circle where some people actually pop in just for a coffee and a chat.
The kind of treatments they offer are things such as Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, aromatherapy and reflexology, physio, exercise classes and numerous counselling sessions.
I also had a chance to have a chat with the clinical aromatherapist and reflexologist and gain an insight into the kind of work that she does. I also got the opportunity to speak with the 'head' physio, and the technicians who were responsible for the running of the oxygen chambers.
I got the chance to have a look in the chambers and also to see people during the hour long treatment period. It was surprising how relaxed they were in what I considered to be a rather claustrophobic environment (they were happy reading books and magazines, and also sometimes play cards or dominoes).
The technicians explained the operation of the chambers and also the benefits that many people find from the treatment (even though there is no scientific evidence for its use).
The main difference I found with other clinics was that it is a very informal environment. The staff do not have uniforms, everyone communicates on a first name basis and there are no name badges. The staff are all extremely friendly and I was made to feel very welcome by both them and the 'regulars'.
The main thing that I was told to realise about this therapy centre was that it is based on what the patient thinks they need rather than what the staff think is what they need. During my chat with one of the physios she showed me one of their assessment forms which they fill in with the patient. They perform the necessary tests and fill in what they think is required to help, but they also ask the patient what they think the problems are and the best way to work throught them. These are then discussed before a final decision is reached.
The opinion about the NHS and its treatment of MS seems to be very much that after diagnosis, the doctors (consultants) say there is no cure and to come back in 2 years for the next appointment.
Therapy centres such as this are a great help to these people. They even offer counselling for newly diagnosed people.
All in all, it was a very interesting day and I feel that I learned a lot from this experience.