Facial Paralysis is a devastating condition that has physical, social, and psychological effects. Patients are typicaly referred from a variety of routes (e.g. GP, neurosurgeons, ENT, maxillofacial surgeon, ophthalmologist, or rehabilitation specialist). Often the referral pathway is dis-jointed with patients travelling to several different hospitals to receive the various elements of care. Also, little emphasis has been placed on the psychological impact of facial paralysis.
These issues led me to drive the development of a new Multidisciplinary Facial Palsy Clinic- the first of its kind in the UK. The facial palsy service includes specialist physiotherapy, speech & language therapy, psychological therapy, ophthalmology, as well as consultants in plastic, maxillofacial, and ophthalmic surgery.
Unique clinic proformas and information booklets were written to ensure quality assurance. Furthermore, objective and subjective assessments were integrated into the clinical documentation and treatment pathways to allow audit and research in the future. Our specialist physiotherapist performs facial EMGs on site which generates additional income for the Trust and makes the service financially viable.
The first quarterly clinic was held in April 2007 and due high demand, the number of clinics has been increased.
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