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ABOUT THE CENTRE
The South Wales MS Therapy Centre was formed in 1983. As a result of tremendous public support and enthusiasm from MS sufferers, their families and friends, by the Spring of 1985 sufficient funds had been raised to open the Therapy Centre in Swansea. This support has continued and enabled the Physiotherapy unit to be set up, which was opened by our Patron, Ruth Madoc, in May 1992, and a further extension of our facilities opened by the Rt. Hon. Donald Anderson MP in May 1995, to coincide with our tenth anniversary. We are greatly indebted to all those who support us and without whose help these achievements would not have been possible.
The Centre aims to be a focus for MS in its large catchment area of South Wales and provide a day centre with all the facilities that are available to help sufferers manage their illness so to lead as normal life as possible. Any therapy given is supported by our national body - Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) was the new therapy that was being sought and as it was not available within the NHS, Therapy Centres began to open making it possible for all M.S. sufferers to participate. It became obvious that more therapies were needed to help them and their families cope with this debilitating illness, so the Centre developed rapidly with more therapies being provided. These include physiotherapy, reflexology and Indian head massage. We have access to our National organisation’s (MS National Therapy Centres) professionals for dietary advice and counselling. The therapists employed at the Centre are all professionals in their own right, and have specific knowledge and experience of M.S.
Due to some spare capacity available within the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, we do offer this service to other conditions if referred directly from a Consultant.
The cost of running the Centre is approximately £80,000, all of which has to raised by fund raising efforts locally - we receive no statutory funding. We also rely a great deal on grants given to us by trusts and organisations.
Referral to the Centre in the first instance is by any form, direct from the person with M.S., their Neurologist, Doctor, Social Worker or friend.
A consultation with the Centre Manager, explaining all the various therapies and services available, is followed by a tour of the Centre. An assessment will then be carried out recording the history and current symptoms. Relevant therapies will then be recommended. However, there is no pressure on anyone to do anything they do not want to do. The doctor is notified of the fact that their patient is attending and any recommendations made by any of the professionals will be copied to their Doctor also, to ensure everyone is kept informed.
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