A new neurology clinic has opened in Penrith.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with neurological conditions have been impacted across all areas of life, including their access to neurology services.
A recent analysis of the NHS data carried out by the Neurological Alliance, showed that the number of people waiting over a year for a neurology or neurosurgery appointment in the UK has risen by 9,000 per cent.
Dr Jitka Vanderpol, consultant neurologist and medical director of the Lake District Neurology Clinic, said: “The impact of the pandemic for people with neurological conditions has been immense, and waiting times are a clear indication of that.
“Despite the best efforts of NHS colleagues to catch up with the backlog, thousands of people feel they are being left in the dark waiting for their appointments, whilst their condition might be progressing. Without timely access to neurology services, many patients have been left unable to receive their diagnosis and treatment.”
Many NHS organisations reported a neurology workforce crisis with healthcare professionals becoming overstretched and in need of support themselves. In response to the crisis, Dr Vanderpol has opened a new clinic in Penrith for self-funding patients.
She said: “I am acutely aware that extended waiting times for a consultant appointment in the NHS are causing patients distress and worry that could be exacerbating their neurological disorder.
“To help ease the pressure on the NHS in Cumbria, I have now opened a private consultation clinic to offer patients a timely alternative route to access specialist expertise. The income from this activity will be reinvested to support migraine research and education, local charities delivering health care, and communities in Cumbria.”
Dr Vanderpol is a nationally recognised expert in the field of headache and migraine. She is a founding member of the Cumbria Headache Forum, an educational platform for patients and health care professionals. She thrives on educating patients by empowering them to self-manage their symptoms enabling them to return to an active life.
Her book, Helping You Successfully Manage Your Headache and Migraine: A Patient’s Guide, has recently been published by Cambridge Scholars and her research on novel headache treatments won first place in the Innovative Technology or Device category at the Bright Ideas in Health Awards in 2015.
Dr Vanderpol is a faculty member and speaker at the Headache Academy at the Royal College of Physicians in London.
The new neurology clinic is located at Jubilee house, in Eamont Bridge, near Penrith. Patients will be able to self-refer or alternatively be referred by their GP practice.
