New help for brain injured people

A new service has begun in Bath helping people with long-term neurological problems and brain injuries.

The service is for people with conditions such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

It supports patients in setting goals and working out tailor-made care.

Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT) hopes the service will prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital and reduce hospital stays.

The new team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a speech and language therapist, specialist neurology nurses, and others.

It is good to know that the help is out there Claygone Jackson

It is based at St Martin's Hospital but the vast majority of the team's work is done out in the community, visiting people in their home, place of work or even the local sports centre.

Bath resident Claygone Jackson, 41, who has multiple sclerosis is one of the patients currently receiving help through the service.

"Over the years I have had different symptoms, such as problems with my eye sight, fatigue, difficulty with walking," said Mr Jackson.

"Recently I noticed that my speech was becoming blurred. My occupational therapist recommended that I should try speech therapy.

"I think this is one of the benefits of the new service, because the therapists work together. I went ahead, and I have seen some big improvements.

"I have also had physiotherapy and see the multiple sclerosis nurse. It is good to know that the help is out there," he said.

About 70 other patients are also being helped through the service, which has been funded by £230,000 investment by the PCT.

Patients are referred by health or social care professionals.