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

Scottish Medicines and Scientific Advisory Committee Working Group
Post Polio Syndrome/Late Effects of Polio
among polio survivors and health professionals, were considering the
development of UK-specific guidance in some form, and were looking to
improve the processes by which polio survivors are referred, or self-refer, to the
services appropriate to their specific needs.
Other organisations
The Pain Association Scotland runs staff-led monthly self management groups
throughout Scotland, in many cases as part of a service agreement with NHS
Boards. Clinicians caring for those with PPS/LEOP should bear in mind the
benefits which might accrue from referral to such a group.
Pain as a symptom of PPS/LEOP should benefit from the work currently being
undertaken by the Scottish Government’s Lead Clinician for Chronic Pain in
developing a service model for pain management in Scotland, linked closely to
the work on musculo-skeletal services being taken forward as part of the
process of implementing the Framework for Adult Rehabilitation.
Assist UK, also known as AIMS, leads a UK wide network of locally-situated
Disabled Living Centres. Each centre includes a permanent exhibition of
products and equipment that provide people with opportunities to see and try
products and equipment and get information and advice from professional staff
about what might suit them best. Assist UK also offer training courses linked to
services provided by members. There are five disabled living centres in
Scotland (in Dundee, Edinburgh, Elgin, Paisley and Stirling) providing specialist
information on aids and equipment as well as other disability related enquiries.
In view of the importance to people living with PPS/LEOP of maintaining their
independence, information should be made available to them, either from
healthcare professionals or through the SPPN, about the availability of self
directed support. That funding allows people to determine their own care
package and, if they so wish, to employ people to deliver it.
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