Consultant Neurologists look at issues related to the central nervous system as well as the brain and spinal cord.
Common symptoms that likely warrant seeing a neurological specialist include:
- Collapses/seizures/fits
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Headaches/migraines
- Tingling and weakness
- Sleep disorders
- Memory problems
- Restless legs
- Tremor & abnormal movements
Our experts at The Ridgeway Hospital diagnose and treat a wide range of neurological conditions, which could be indicated by any of the above symptoms. Your symptoms may relate to conditions such as:
- Migraine/ Cluster Headache
- Epilepsy
- Movement disorders, e.g. Parkinson’s
- Neuropathy – nerve problems, e.g. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Stroke/Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
- Dissociative seizures
- Tics/ Tourette syndrome
- Motor Neurone disease
- Huntington’s disease (degeneration of nerve cells in the brain)
- Functional Neurological Disorders (FND)
The diagnosis of a neurological condition may sound daunting, but with a highly experienced team of consultant neurologists available to offer you the most appropriate form of treatment, you will be in good hands at The Ridgeway Hospital.
For a rapid assessment of your symptoms, our neurologists can see you for an initial consultation, providing diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan without delay.
The majority of patients visiting our neurologists are either self-referrals or referred via their GP, so you won’t have to jump through hoops to get an appointment. If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, we would love to see you for a consultation at your earliest convenience.
Many of our patients value the accurate diagnosis offered by our consultants, as it finally gives them the answers they’ve been seeking while dealing with unwanted symptoms.
With a diagnosis confirmed, your consultant can then provide ways of helping you manage your symptoms and restore your quality of life.
The vast majority of conditions can be managed with medication, usually taken orally, and these can be picked up from our on-site pharmacy.
Other issues may require a more in-depth approach. For example, once certain sleep disorders have been diagnosed, your consultant can begin analysing what the cause is. Some of these disorders will be treated with medication, and some can be managed effectively with lifestyle alterations. If sleep apnoea (where your breathing stops intermittently during sleep) is the cause, our respiratory consultants will manage your care, often with the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to aid your breathing overnight. Others may need to see a neurophysiologist for specific nerve tests and sleep studies.
If you have had a stroke/TIA, cardiac investigations may be undertaken as well in order to rule out issues with your heart, and this would be overseen by our cardiology team.
Treatment for rarer brain conditions, such as an aneurysm, will be referred on to neuroradiological specialists at one of our partner sites, where further complex diagnostics can be performed.
If anything needs addressing surgically, you will be referred on to one of our surgeons. For example, if your symptoms of tingling and weakness are discovered to be related to disc or spinal cord problems, surgical intervention to repair the damage will be needed from one of our expert spinal surgeons. This multi-disciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment ensures you get the very best care across the board.
Your initial consultation with your neurologist will begin with a detailed medical history, where you will be asked to outline any previous medical problems as well as the issues you’ve been facing currently. Questions they may ask you include:
- What symptoms have you been experiencing?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
- Have you had any issues in the past? Any notable accidents or injuries?
- Are you in pain? If so, can you describe the pain? Is it a stabbing pain or does it radiate out?
- Are you currently taking any medication?
This will be followed by a physical and neurological examination, which involves testing your movements, co-ordination and reflexes, as well as strength, sensation, and memory function. Occasionally your consultant will also examine the back of your eye with handheld instruments.
Diagnostic tests may be required, and these can be booked in for a later date. Typically, this may involve an MRI (which shows the brain or spine in great detail), although CT scans are sometimes used as well.
Certain symptoms and conditions may require a blood test, and nerve conduction studies with a specialist can also be arranged through your consultant, if appropriate.
Once all results are back, your consultant will meet with you to discuss your diagnosis, explaining your condition in detail and offering an outline of potential treatment pathways.
Choosing to have your Neurology treatment at The Ridgeway Hospital comes with a host of benefits, such as:
Assessments ASAP – Certain neurological conditions are best diagnosed at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any of the associated symptoms, our neurologists can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis rapidly (with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment) and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further. Waiting times for tests are much shorter when seeking private appointments, enabling you to be seen quicker, with results available promptly.
Patient Satisfaction – 96.4% of patients in 2020 said they would happily recommend The Ridgeway Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 96.3% also said that the quality of care here at The Ridgeway Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
Personalised Care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and providing the very best care for your specific condition. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
Consultant-led, Consultant delivered - Once you have chosen your consultant neurologist, you will see them right the way through your journey at The Ridgeway Hospital. From the initial consultation to follow-ups, explaining any necessary procedures and carrying out the procedures themselves, you are assured the highest level of care and top-quality service from experienced specialists in the field.
A Multidisciplinary Approach – Our teams at The Ridgeway Hospital work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with colleagues in Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, alongside specialist radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, your consultants have access to a wide network for complex issues, ensuring you have expert support every step of the way during your treatment.
Convenient Appointments – With appointments available at dedicated clinics throughout the week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
If you’ve been experiencing regular migraines, dizziness, and/or memory problems, why not book a consultation with one of our neurologists today? Our consultants can outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any necessary diagnostic scans, treatment and surgery if required.
For peace of mind and expert care, please contact The Ridgeway Hospital to book an appointment now.
