Inverness and District MS Therapy Centre

Inverness MS Therapy Centre

A purpose built ground floor building with full facilities for people with disability

The Inverness Centre provides physiotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, aromatherapy, reflexology, counselling and nutrition advice, all in a cheerful and friendly ambience. The Centre has its own minibus serving peripheral areas in and around Inverness and extending throughout the Highland Region.

The Centre currently provides the range of therapies to approximately 100 people per week which incorporates some 30 physiotherapy sessions, about 30 ‘dives’ taking oxygen and the balance spread over the remaining therapies with emphasis on reflexology.

We have implemented additional physiotherapy to accommodate the increasing demand, and with the collaboration of Raigmore Physiotherapy Department the current waiting lists can be diminished. We can also offer continuity of treatment, which we feel is essential in dealing with MS. Facilities in both locations can be more flexible in their use, and there may be some possibility for domiciliary physiotherapy.

 

 

Other conditions such as strokes, wounds, leg ulcers and cerebral palsy have been treated following the approval of the relevant GP.

Patients suffering from the side effects of radiotherapy have been referred to the Centre by Raigmore. In addition, and since the arrival of the minibus, various social activities have been implemented. The current staff includes one manager (Full Time), two senior physiotherapists, two care assistants, three drivers, one therapist for reflexology and aromatherapy, (all Part Time) and a number of trained volunteers.

 

Our facilities:-

• Full time daily support for sufferers and their carers.
• Comprehensive range of specific therapies, including physiotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, reflexology, aromatherapy, counselling and nutrition advice.
• Transport by specially fitted minibus to and from the Centre serving a large area of approximately 50 mile radius.
• Welfare advice with the help of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
• Social activities in a comfortable meeting place including facilities for light meals, hairdressing and a fully fitted shower unit incorporating all necessary equipment to cover all disabilities.
  

Email:-  admin@ms-inverness.f2s.com

Therapy Centre - Inverness

Never a dull moment in the Highlands!

By Helen Yates

A wise person once said that "laughter is the best medicine." Never has this remark been more keenly observed than at the Inverness MS Therapy Centre. As I walked through the door, peals of mirth rang from the main room. "It's always like this," says Margaret Brown, one of two managers.

"Recently I was on the telephone in my office when I heard the laughter and looked round to see an impromptu game of hoopla going on with buckets and hoops around the table. In a quiet moment Alice, our care assistant, had decided to arrange a quick game!"

Opened in 1992, the Centre was merely a dream three years earlier. Fundraising started in earnest in 1989 and by March 1992 there stood a purpose-built Centre on grounds given to the charity by the local council.

Within a short space of time it became apparent that, with their increased numbers, more room was needed. So an extension was built and the Centre now consists of an open-plan reception room that houses the huge table around which everyone sits for tea, coffee, lunch and general conversation.

There's also a kitchen, an HBO unit, a fully-equipped physiotherapy room, a counselling and private room, a hairdressing and massage/ reflexology room and an office for the two managers, Margaret Brown and Jennifer Veitch, who job-share.

A new garage for the minibus is planned and the extra space will enable the current broom cupboard to become a second, small office.

"We are really excited about our new office, it might be small but we are so busy that any extra space will really help!" enthuses Jennifer, aware of how small the space really is!

In the time I was at the Centre there were people coming, staying and going at an astonishing rate. The ever-running minibus was dropping off and picking up people all day, many of whom did not actually use the HBO or physiotherapy room. "It doesn't matter if people come to the Centre without using any of the therapies on offer here," says Jennifer. We believe that the social side of what we offer is a therapy in itself."

I am left in no doubt of this after a couple of hours in the company of the Centre's staff, clients and voluntary workers. Since my arrival I have been aware of a strong sense of warmth and friendliness which translates itself into an all-round commitment to the Centre and what it does for everyone - including the staff.

Everyone at the Centre works in a hands-on way, including the 9 directors and the chairman Alistair Smith. Every member of the board and all staff is trained to operate the HBO unit and many of them undertake whatever job is required.

Here lies a community in the true sense of the word, people who are all looking after each other and contributing what they are able. Dave Brand, the popular mini-bus driver, has been known to redecorate parts of the Centre and act as impromptu carer.

"When Dave came for his interview, it was my job to ensure that the candidates were greeted and offered a drink whilst waiting," recounts Victoria Shanks, a director and user of the Centre.

"As I stood up to greet him, the room spun round and I fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Dave, unfazed, leant forward, picked me up and placed me back in my chair without blinking! - Obviously he got the job."

The minibus is a subject that is regularly raised and quite rightly so. Everyone at the Centre is deeply proud of the achievement it represents. The Inverness Centre covers the biggest geographical area of any MS Therapy Centre in the UK, and what an area it is! Stretching from Banff in the east over to the west coast, the nearest Therapy Centres are in Aberdeen and Wick. If the sheer size of the area the Centre covers isn't enough, it has to be remembered that the geography round here makes all journeys that bit longer. Also, the area in question has the highest incidence of MS in Britain.

The minibus, funded by a grant from The Highland Cross (a charity which helps fund smaller local charities) and the National Lottery Charities Board, now brings people to the Centre from all corners of the region. It means that the Centre now has 80-100 clients a week, many of whom would never have been able to attend without the minibus.

"How do you manage to keep the Centre open and make sure people know about you?" I ask Margaret. Modestly, she answers "You do whatever you need to." The truth is that these people work incredibly hard and with total dedication.

"We never pay for anything until we have exhausted all possibilities in terms of funding," says Jennifer. I ask how they actually raise the funds to keep the Centre going. "Well Jennifer and I stand on street corners if necessary." We all fall about laughing. "Oh that didn't sound right!!" laughs Margaret, "I mean we do everything from National Lottery Charities Board applications to standing on the street with collecting tins. It's hard work but always worth it," she adds.

The sight of a busy physiotherapy room confirms the worthwhile nature of their jobs. While I was there people were shuttling between the HBO unit and the physio room where June McLennan (one of two physiotherapists) guides them through exercises and does stretching work with Alan Mackenzie (the Centre's own comedian who keeps everyone chuckling).

The Centre plans to take their particular show on the road soon. With the minibus fully loaded they will travel the Highlands doing presentations across the area to ensure that everyone who may benefit from the Centre's services knows of its existence. The hope is also that more companies will offer sponsorship to the Centre. Despite the obstacles, everyone at the Inverness Centre is still laughing and offering the warmest of Highland welcomes. Further information Inverness & District Therapy Centre, Burnett Road, Inverness Tel 01463-240365

© New Pathways September 2000