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"Botox clinic in Neurology"

About: Manor Hospital / Neurology

I suffer from semi facial spasm, and after finding out that this was caused by a twisted blood vessel touching on a nerve in the centre of my brain, I was told by the Consultant at QE Birmingham that it was inoperable and I was referred for Botox injections every three months. Over the past three years this clinic has been hit and miss, due it seems to the fact that the Doctor who gives the injections retired in 2015 and returns only for these botox clinics. As the Doctor spends time out of the country it appears that the hospital have to negotiate with them as to when they can perform a clinic. This is very frustrating as I can just about last the three months without spasm, but after that time the spasm in the left side of my face is uncontrollable. I have no issues with the Doctor or the nursing staff, they are very professional, but when the dates keep changing if I am away on holiday I can go months without the injections. Added to this the fact that twice I have not received appointment letters, only finding out by ringing appointments myself, the situation is unsatisfactory. My last clinic was August and I expected a clinic this November but this has not happened. I contacted Neurology today to be told that they did not know when the next clinic will be as 'Management are talking to the doctor to agree a further clinic'. I was told that there is no one else in Neurology that can give botox injections as it is a specialism - what an insult to my intelligence. I was told that the Doctor does still do private practice at a local Private hospital and of course I would have to pay for that, or I could be referred by my doctor to the Botox clinic at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham. I am retired and do not see why I should have to choose one of these alternatives. Is the Manor Hospital a 'mickey mouse' operation or does it consider itself a cutting edge establishment. Surely when someone has been retired for two years they should cease relying on this person and organise someone else to ensure that these botox clinics run every three months. Giving Botox injections is not that much of a specialism for a medical professional (research it) so please do not fob people off with feeble excuses.

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Responses

Response from Manor Hospital 6 years ago
Manor Hospital
Submitted on 29/12/2017 at 12:06
Published on nhs.uk at 13:32


Apologies for the delay in replying.

The issue is that since the Consultant undertaking your injections retired we have been unable to get a Neurology locum in post who has been qualified to undertake Botox injections.

Therefore we have had to rely on the former doctor to fill the gap every three months which is always dependent on his availability.

The good news is that he has agreed to undertake clinics on January 17th and 24th in which all waiting patients will be booked.

Further to this we have now had confirmation from UHB (University Hospitals Birmingham) that they are going to advertise in January for the 2 substantive Neurology posts that we have agreed via a service level agreement.

Hopefully the appointees with be able to administer Botox which will mean the resumption of a consistent service once again.

Regards Garry

Garry Perry

Head of Patient Relations

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