Sara Burtonwood receives her injections at Breightmet Health Centre, which she has used for 22 years.
Botulism is injected into her legs to help with muscle spasticity and tightness, reduce pain and improve walking pattern.
Botox, also known as Botox, blocks chemical signals between nerves and muscles, causing muscle paralysis. This can help with walking, balance and falls when injected into the leg muscles.
Ms Burtonwood, who works as a primary school teaching assistant, receives the injections from Dr Tarek Gaber, Consultant Neurological Rehabilitation, every five months. It was at her June appointment that she learned Dr. Gaber was retiring at the end of October, and she says she was told the Health Center was struggling to fill the position.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust stressed that the clinics will operate and “permanent plans are in place”.
(Image: Sara and Ian Burtonwood)
Mrs Burtonwood says that more than four months later, she has had no word from the NHS about whether she will still be able to access the injections.
She said: “I’m scared I can’t have this treatment, it’s so stressful. I’ve had them since I was 17 and I remember how I was before. I don’t want to go back to that.
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“Without these injections, I won’t be able to do my job. It will affect my entire income. I would have to rely on my husband or find an alternative job where I’m not as happy – which I shouldn’t be doing.
“I feel so abandoned, there is no clinic around Bolton to refer me to. There are clinics in Manchester and Liverpool that offer the injections, but the waiting list for them is 12 months.
“The health center orders the botox in batches. apparently they were told to return it because it won’t be used. It doesn’t sound like they are able to fill the position.
“I emailed the NHS to complain but older visitors may not have access to the internet or fully understand the complaints process – they may not have the confidence to speak up.”
Ian Burtonwood, Sarah’s husband, said: ‘Sarah was very upset, not being able to have these injections would have changed her life completely.
“I’ve seen her without the injections, her walk is completely different, she’s in a lot of pain and she really struggles with movement.
“I can’t believe he didn’t even have a letter about it. It’s completely out of the blue, it’s really wrong.
“I don’t think they’ve thought about how this will affect people’s wellbeing – we want a concrete answer from the health center about what the next steps are and whether Sara will be able to access the treatment she so desperately needs.”
Rae Wheatcroft, Chief Operating Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have plans to provide a permanent solution for our patients.
“In the meantime, we have contacted all our patients affected by the change and plan to provide clinics to ensure people can continue to receive the treatment and support they need.
“If anyone has any concerns or questions, please contact our Neurology team directly who are happy to help.”
Do you have a story? email me at Leah.collins@newsquest.co.uk
