Neurology in Rochdale

Neurology is a specialist area of medicine that investigates, diagnoses and treats problems in the nervous system. A doctor who specialises in this field is a Consultant Neurologist. 

Your nervous system is formed by the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It is an incredibly complex system, made up of many different parts and with many varied functions. It is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses around the body in order to generate a specific response. 

If anything stops your nervous system from working properly it can have a big impact on every part of your body, your health and your quality of life.

The Consultant Neurologists at The Highfield Hospital treat a wide range of neurological conditions and symptoms for people in Lancashire and further afield. They would be delighted to help you too. 

Because your nervous system is spread throughout your entire body, it can affect any part of it. Its complexity and reach means that neurological symptoms can be extremely varied and may occur anywhere in the body.

Some of the common reasons people visit our neurologists for help include:  

• Headaches 
• Migraines – 20% more common in women 
• Facial pain 
• Dizziness/unsteadiness 
• Sensory symptoms – numbness, tingling or weakness in any part of the body 
• Loss of consciousness – fits, faints, epileptic seizures 
• Increased forgetfulness 
• Abnormal movement – tremors or slowing down 
• Vertigo 
• Change in sense of taste and/or smell 
• Bladder and/or bowel problems

Many of these symptoms can often be quite concerning or even frightening to experience, and it can be sensible course of action to see a neurologist for expert advice if you have any of them.

Due to the complexity of the nervous system, many of the conditions that affect it will often have very similar symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. The Neurology team at The Highfield Hospital are extremely experienced at investigating symptoms like these to get an accurate diagnosis.

Some of the conditions that commonly affect the nervous system include:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – a lifelong condition. There is no cure, but treatments can often help manage symptoms 
• Parkinson’s Disease – a brain disorder, causing symptoms like shaking and stiffness. Usually, these symptoms get worse over time 
• Epilepsy – seizures caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain 
• Dementia – a broad term describing a general decline of brain functioning 
• Motor Neurone Disease – occurs when the motor neurones (cells found in the brain and nerves) stop working. This causes symptoms like slurred speech and muscle weakness. Often gets worse over time.
• Neurosarcoidosis – a form of sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease) affecting the central nervous system 

Many neurological conditions are best treated when they’re diagnosed as soon as possible. Earlier diagnosis means that you’ll receive any appropriate treatment sooner. We can provide you with quick, easy access to an experienced neurologist in Lancashire for comprehensive investigation. 

For any neurological complaint, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to formulating the best possible treatment plan.

When you first meet with your neurologist here in the hospital, they will take a medical history and will talk with you in detail about your symptoms. They will want to know things like: 

• What symptoms do you have? 
• When did your symptoms first appear/become noticeable? 
• Have your symptoms have been getting worse?  
• Does anything in particular (food, drink, activity, bright light etc.) make your symptoms worse? 
• Are your symptoms affecting your enjoyment of life? 
• Have you have received any treatment already, such as prescribed medication?

A physical examination may also be carried out.

These will all help your neurologist to choose the most appropriate investigations to refer you for if required. These may include: 

• MRI of spine and/or brain 
• Neurophysiology test – electromyography (EMG) 
• Nerve conduction test (NCS) – tests for nerve damage in the peripheral nerves (those outside your brain and spinal cord)  
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) – measures electrical activity in the brain. This can be helpful when investigating epilepsy 
• Blood tests 

Any tests and investigations required will be arranged for you by your neurologist.

Once the results of any tests are back, you will meet with your neurologist again in order to talk through the results and diagnosis and to explore suitable treatment options.

Your neurologist works closely with specialists in many other fields, like ophthalmology, oncology, ENT, cardiology and neurosurgery. If your results suggest you would benefit from referral to another specialist, this is easily arranged at The Highfield Hospital. 

Your neurologist will always make certain that you have the information you need about treatment options in order to make an informed choice about treatment. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, they will always be very happy to talk with you about these.  

Many people are referred to a Consultant Neurologist at The Highfield Hospital by their GP, another specialist (including other neurologists) or their private medical insurance provider. Others self-refer to avoid delay.

We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients.

While many of our patients live in Rochdale or other parts of Lancashire, people travel from Leeds, Halifax, Liverpool, and further afield to benefit from the expertise provided by our neurologists. 

When you visit a Consultant Neurologist at The Highfield Hospital, you will benefit from: 

• Rapid access to expert assessment – Many neurological symptoms can be frightening to experience and you will appreciate fast access to expert help. Our team of experienced neurologists can see you without delay, so that your symptoms can be expertly investigated and diagnosed sooner.
• Personalised care – The complexity of the nervous system means that any investigations and treatments should always be tailored to your symptoms and whatever may be best for you. Your neurologist will always be closely involved in each aspect of your care, every step of the way. Regular follow-ups and easy access to your neurologist with any queries or concerns means that your treatment can be quickly adjusted where necessary.
• Flexible appointments – Neurology appointments are available throughout the week, making it very easy to book an appointment. We can also provide remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).
• A whole team approach – With quick, easy access to a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals on-site, you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your condition. 
• Recommended by our patients – In an independent survey, an incredible 99.1% of patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to family and friends. While we are extremely grateful for this, we continue to work hard to deliver the highest level of care and support to everyone who visit us for help with a health concern. 

Whether you’ve recently started experiencing new neurological symptoms that are concerning you or a pre-existing condition has flared up and you would like help to manage it better, we would be delighted to see you.

For peace of mind and known expert care, why not book your private Neurology appointment today?