'There is a dire need for it' - Inverness woman's plea for scanner treatment

EXCLUSIVE

A Highland campaigner is urging the Health Secretary to make a treatment which could have helped her, widely available on the NHS in Scotland.

Mary Ramsay, who has the neurological disorder Essential Tremor, has spent more than a decade trying to get easier access to Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS).

Essential Tremor affects around 4,000 Scots, it predominantly prompts involuntary movements in the hands and arms.

The focused ultrasound is a non invasive type of surgery which uses sound waves to help destroy tissue which can cause unwanted movements.

Currently, the University of Dundee is the only place in Scotland which provides the service to NHS patients.

We understand access to this can vary between different health boards.

This Wednesday, Health Secretary Neil Gray is set to address Mary's petition on the matter via the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee.

Mrs Ramsay, 69, was treated through invasive Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and feels her life could have been dramatically improved if she received focused ultrasound.

She said: "Focused ultrasound is dealing with essential tremor, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis patients

"There is a dire need for it. 

"I can honestly say from my point of view, had I been fortunate enough to go for the focused ultrasound, it would be great to pick up a cup of coffee one handed and not end up wearing it. 

"Or eat a meal and not end up wearing it."

Over the years, Mary says she has been abused as a result of her condition and wants to ensure less people endure what she has faced.

She added: "When you have a tremor there is the embarrassment, stigma, the fact that people are staring at you. 

"You can be bullied, physically and verbally.

"It is not pleasant. 

"I really cannot understand why they are not funding it, there is just the one machine in Scotland.  

"If I can prevent one person going through the pure hell that I went through, then I would have achieved what I set out to do."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We want all people with Essential Tremor to receive the best possible care and support.

“A service offering Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for Essential Tremor is available in NHS Tayside, to which people who live in other health board areas can be referred for assessment and potential treatment.

“Decisions on the national commissioning of services are considered by NHS National Services Division.”