Neurology Services in Stirling

You can see an experienced Consultant Neurologist at The Kings Park Hospital in Stirling quickly and at a time that suits you. Your consultant will be able to do tests, provide a diagnosis and offer treatment for various neurological complaints.

We offer regular outpatient clinics with Consultant Neurologists who can diagnose and manage neurological conditions such as headaches, blackouts, dizzy spells, seizures, walking difficulties, memory problems and weakness or numbness in the limbs.

Our neurological service provides the highest standards of care from knowledgeable consultants, supported by professional nurses, chartered physiotherapists, expert radiologists and caring administration staff.

The hospital is conveniently located within Forth Valley and serves patients from all points of the compass.

Neurology is the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the nervous system from migraines to inflammatory neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neurone disease (MND).

The nervous system regulates and coordinates your body’s activities through the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles.

Most patients seek help from a Consultant Neurologist for worries over headaches, seizures such as those caused by epilepsy, dizziness, loss of consciousness, vision issues, and movement problems.

Cognitive disorders, meaning impairments in your thinking abilities such as memory loss and learning disorders, also make up a large proportion of a neurologist’s work.

Your consultant neurologist at The Kings Park Hospital can carry out various diagnostic tests to determine what may be going on throughout your nervous system, and tests can include:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure electrical impulses in the brain
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to provide a detailed picture of the brain in cross-sections
• A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan using X-rays to diagnose muscle or spinal abnormalities
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to investigate possible nerve damage

The overlap of the brain and the mind means you may see other consultants while you’re under the care of a Consultant Neurologist. A Neurophysiologist, for example, would perform electrical studies like electromyography (EMG). For memory disorders requiring a detailed test, your consultant may refer you to a Neuropsychologist. Sometimes a mental health condition may present as a physical problem, requiring a referral for therapy with a Psychologist or a Neuropsychologist.

It’s rare for someone with neurological symptoms to require a consultant surgeon, but our neurologists occasionally refer patients to our neurosurgical team.

We accept referrals from GPs and other medical professionals such as colleagues specialising in ENT (ear, nose and throat) who refer for facial pain and heart specialists (cardiologists) who may send you to a neurologist if you’re experiencing loss of consciousness. You can also refer yourself independently.

Most of the time, consultations begin with talking your Consultant Neurologist through your medical history and expectations.

A physical examination is likely to occur, and after assessment, your consultant will explain the initial findings and how best to proceed in terms of either a test required, or treatments offered.

You may not realise that your neurologist has started their assessment. It begins with watching you walk from the waiting area to their clinic and observing your facial expressions.

During a physical, neurological examination, your neurologist will examine your limbs, how your eyes move (the cranial nerves), your visual field, facial structures like eye closure, balance, swallowing and tongue movement.

They will do a physical power assessment of your arms and legs, check your reflexes, coordination with manual tasks and fine manipulation before moving on to a sensory exam to check what you can sense with touch.

You may be looking for a diagnosis and treatment, or you may just be looking for reassurance that nothing is wrong. Either way, we can help you get the answers you need.

Your Consultant Neurologist will spend a lot of time discussing the risks and benefits of different treatment options for your symptoms.

Before sending you for diagnostic tests, they may start your therapy by prescribing tablets. Prophylaxis therapy, such as beta-blockers, for example, can prevent migraines and headaches from coming on by slowing down your heartbeat. Other potential treatments include neuropathic pain drugs such as Amitriptyline or anti-hypertensive drugs like Candesartan.

Migraines are a complex complaint, with acute treatment ranging from over-the-counter analgesic (aspirin) to triptan drugs, such as Sumatriptan, specific painkillers for migraines.

Most diagnostics will take place at The Kings Park Hospital at a separate appointment to your initial consultation. Your Consultant Neurologist may also refer you for imaging of the brain and occasionally muscle or spine at our sister hospital, The Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow. Diagnostics that would take place at Ross Hall Hospital include:

• MRI scans
• CT or CAT scans
• Neurophysiology tests such as nerve conduction studies or an EEG

Ninety per cent of the time, your consultant will advise an MRI scan. MRI scans provide quality images of the brain with lots of detail that your consultant can use to give a diagnosis. An exception will be if you have a pacemaker or are claustrophobic and won’t tolerate a conventional MRI scan. In these instances, a CT scan is more appropriate.

If your scan results are as expected and show no abnormalities, your consultant neurologist will write to you with the results and provide contact details should you have any questions.

Should there be an abnormality in the scan or some diagnostic doubt, your consultant will arrange a follow-up appointment to go over the results face-to-face.

The Kings Park Hospital gives you swift access to an experienced consultant neurologist who can diagnose your condition, provide treatment, or refer you to another specialist in-house.

We deliver the highest levels of care in our clean and safe hospital. Staff offer a personal touch, and your needs are always valued. We will make you feel welcome and comfortable from the minute you walk through the door.

Your consultant will give you plenty of time to ask questions, giving you confidence in their expert opinion and top-quality care.

We’re proud to say that our care is always ongoing; we’ll give you information and contact details, should you wish to get in touch with any further questions or concerns.