"Putting the "Care" in Healthcare"

Four years ago my wife was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Cervical Dystonia at just 38 years old. The impacts of just the diagnosis alone are significant but the introduction of numerous forms of medication, many aggressive in impact is sometimes an even harder battle to deal with never mind the symptoms of the diseases themselves.

Over the first three years, my wife was treated for both illness’s under one consultant and her treatment lacked many elements of the type of support she should have received. As my wife's condition continued to deteriorate we found it difficult to move forward in stabilising her medication or even to achieve a reasonable quality of life.

In mid 2010 my wife was transferred to Dr Scott at Broadgreen Hospital for treatment of her Parkinson's disease.

For us, this was when the 'care' was first put back into 'healthcare'.

Dr Scott and his team, including the Parkinson's Nurse Specialists and liaison (Sue Woods and Bev Jackson and Susan Ferguson the Apo-Go Nurse) have and continue to show incredible passion and commitment to ensure that my wife’s treatment improves so that she can start to regain some level of stability and an improved quality of life.

From the moment we met Dr Scott and the team, they went above and beyond any form of support we have ever received before within the NHS. Dr Scott took the time to fully understand what is clearly a complex case and did it with understanding, compassion and commitment to improve my wife’s quality of life. He supported us to identify another consultant for the treatment of Cervical Dystonia and then worked closely and frequently with them to ensure the treatment was coordinated. Every touch point we have had at the clinic at Broadgreen has been an inspiration, from Dr Scott, his secretary, the nurses and physiotherapists everyone has played a huge role in the treatment of my wife. Furthermore, they have not just waited for fixed hospital visits to ensure her treatment was working, but have kept in touch with my wife and I, to monitor the progression of treatment and frequently consulted to make decisions on changes to the treatment as difficulties have developed.

We know that the illness will continue to change and we will still have many ups and downs ahead, but knowing that we have the support of such a dedicated team of professionals assures us that we will have the best care we could possibly ask for.

Thank You