Neurology Service
COVID-19 Advice to Neurology Patients
As the threat of COVID19 has eased on the Island and restrictions are lifting, the Neurologists have recommenced face to face consultations, although some still remain via telephone. The Neurology Nurse Specialist is now seeing clinic patients face to face.
If a telephone appointment is preferable, please contact the Patient Information Centre (PIC) telephone 650103, and we shall try to accommodate the request, if clinically appropriate.
Those with symptoms of Covid-19 should NOT attend their appointment. Instead contact PIC telephone 650103 to rebook for a later date when clear of symptoms.
Blood Clinic
The Blood Clinic remains open; it is important that all patients continue to attend for any blood monitoring required for their treatment.
General advice
Full guidance for people with neurological conditions, their doctors and carers is available online.
Patients with conditions that do not affect their swallowing or breathing muscles and in whom the immune system is working normally, are not considered to be at increased risk from COVID-19.
Milder or moderate forms of many of the commoner neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy are not currently considered to confer increased risk, so long as the breathing and swallowing muscles are functioning well.
Advice for those with Multiple Sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Neurology Team is working hard to continue to maintain our service and minimise the risk to our patients from the COVID-19 virus and the effects of MS. We will not be able to speak individually to all patients throughout this challenging period but we appreciate the anxiety that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated for patients with MS, their families and carers. We hope that highlighting the most important sources of advice and information is of assistance at this time.
The situation with the COVID-19 epidemic is changing fast and for those who want to keep up to date with current government advice and how it affects those with MS we recommend visiting the MS Trust's website which includes the latest news and developments or their Facebook page.
Those on a disease modifying treatment should not stop taking their medication without discussing this with their MS Team. If you are taking an MS drug, you can view on the following PDF how it might affect you.
Infusions of Natalizumab (Tysabri) continue at Nobles and patients should attend for these unless they are displaying symptoms of infection eg high temperature.
As MS Specialists, we are aware that MS does not directly affect the immune system and some, but not all patients with MS are more vulnerable to the virus. Patients who have recently received certain MS drugs and patients who have higher levels of disability are at more risk and we advise that MS patients who have any of the following risk factors should follow advice and self-isolate themselves:
- Patients with higher levels of disability who require a wheelchair to mobilise outside of the house
- Patients who have received Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) within the past 6/12
- Patients who have received Cladribine (Mavenclad) within the past 2 years
- Patients who have received Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) within the past 4 years
- Patients who have received high dose steroids (Methylprednisolone) within the past 2 weeks
For Information about other specific conditions the following websites may be
useful:
Parkinson's Patients
Specific guidance for stroke and Parkinson's can be sought from the relevant local teams if required.
Contact Details
Appointment enquiries: +44 1624 650103
Neurology secretaries: +44 1624 650898 or +44 1624 650164, VoiceMail out of hours.
Neurology Nurse Specialist (for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy or Huntingtons Disease): +44 1624 650421
Working hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm,
Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm
Neurology team
Neurologists
The Walton Centre in Liverpool is a specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services. Its specialist staff offers a service in diagnosing and treating illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting patients suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.
A consultant neurologist from The Walton Centre visits the Isle of Man weekly, allowing inpatients to be seen and outpatient clinics to be held at Nobles Hospital. When there is no consultant neurologist on island health professionals can contact the on call consultant neurologist at The Walton Centre for advice at any time.
Neurology Nurse Specialist
The Neurology Nurse Specialist is based permanently on island and is able to provide expert assessment of needs, support and advice for adults and their families living with Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy or Huntingtons Disease.
The nurse service offers:
- Advice, information and education for patients, their families and health professionals
- Support at diagnosis
- Medication review, advice and information
- Liaison and referral to other health professionals including the visiting consultant neurologists
- Home visits (where appropriate)
- Nurse led clinics at Nobles Hospital on Monday and Thursday afternoons (1pm to 5pm)
- Specialist assessment and problem solving management of symptoms
- Information and guidance on lifestyle issues
Referral
Anyone can access the nurse service for information. However to be seen by the nurse specialist you need to be an adult and either have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy or Huntingtons Disease or be undergoing investigations for these.
Parkinsons Disease Nurse Specialist
There is a Parkinson's Disease Nurse specialist based on the Island.
Others
There is a neurology secretarial support team and also local access to neuro-physiotherapy.
Many services used by the neurology team are provided on Island such as MRI and EEG. However patients are sometimes required to travel to The Walton Centre to attend subspecialty clinics, a neurosurgical review, for certain special investigations and some treatments.
Clinics
Consultant Neurologist
Day: Thursdays from 8am to 3pm.
Location: Day Assessment and Treatment Unit (DATU), Nobles
Both Neurologists run general neurology clinics on the Island, if patients require more specialist advice they are referred to the UK.
Neurology Nurse Specialist
Day: Mondays and Thursdays from 1pm to 5pm
Location: Suite D (Medical Out Patients), Nobles
Local Support Groups
Motor Neurone Disease Association IOM
Email: mndassociation@manx.net
Phone: +44 1624 801355
MS Society IOM Branch
Email: mssocietyiom@manx.net
Phone: +44 7624 452207
Huntingtons Disease IOM
Website: www.hdaiom.com
Email: huntingtonsIOM@gmail.com
Phone: +44 7624 402625
Facebook Page: Huntingtons Disease Isle of Man
UK groups and their links can be found in our Related Links area.
