SMASAC Working Group Post Polio Syndrome - Scottish Health On ...

Scottish Medicines and Scientific Advisory Committee Working Group
Post Polio Syndrome/Late Effects of Polio
Referral to a lymphoedema specialist is advised so self management advice
and support can be given. However, access to services is varied and
lymphoedema clinic provision is not standardised in Scotland.
A course of intensive treatment may be required if the swelling is severe and
persistent, the limb shape is distorted, or the skin is in a poor condition.
Further referral to relevant services such as the vascular specialist may be
indicated for some people.
The lymphoedema needs of people with PPS/LEOP should be kept in mind
by SMASAC as part of its current scoping work on the condition.
2.8 Orthotic services
Concern about the availability and standard of orthotic services has been a
key feature of many of the group’s discussions. The SPPN conducted a
review of some of its members’ experiences of orthotic services which
provided anecdotal evidence that these were often less than ideal. This has
been supplemented by personal testimonies from some of the group’s
members and their acquaintances. Similarly, BPF conducted a review of
patient experiences of using the NHS orthotics service in part to inform the
NHS Orthotics Panel and help gather information that could help to improve
the service to BPF members and to orthotics users generally. Specific
objectives were to explore:
• What orthoses are used.
• How the process works for users, in terms of waiting times,
consistency of the team that treats them, etc.
• How users feel the service should be improve.
A summary of the findings of the review is included at Annex E.
25