Life in Salford 33 • June 2021 24
Salford pioneers new spinal treatment Salford Royal has become one of 11 national centres to offer pioneering spinal treatment for adults. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects the nerves in the spinal cord, making muscles weaker and impacting on movement, breathing and swallowing. James Lilleker (right), lead of the SMA service with Jo McNicol and members of the SMA treatment team.
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Jo McNicol, 44, who was born with SMA was the first adult patient to be treated with Nusinersen at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences at Salford Royal. The drug, commonly used for children, has now been approved for adult use. Jo said: “I’m really excited to have finally started treatment and I now feel that there is hope. “I’ll have to continue the treatment forever but I am hoping it will stop the progression of the condition so I can at least maintain the strength I have now.” Phillip Kelly, Neuromuscular Specialist Nurse and Care Advisor said: “Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic, we have been working incredibly hard to develop this new service which we hope will vastly improve quality of life for patients living with SMA.” Salford Royal is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group - which brings together Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
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Over the past 18 months, more than 9,000 people aged between 55 and 74 with a history of smoking have been invited to a free lung health check. Of those who had the health check, more than 1,700 needed further tests. That resulted in 39 early cancer diagnoses meaning treatment could start much earlier. The service, which is funded by NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, delivered by Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and supported by Salford City Council, launched in Walkden and Little Hulton in 2019 before moving on to Ordsall and Claremont.
Throughout the pandemic the health checks have been delivered via a virtual service. Residents living in Eccles and Irlam are now being invited for their lung health check. If you have a history of smoking, are registered with a GP in Eccles or Irlam and receive an invitation through the post, make sure you book an appointment. Health checks are still available for those who have already been invited and all eligible patients from other areas of the city will be contacted within the next 12 months. For more information visit: www.salfordccg.nhs.uk/age-well/lung-health-check
