Celebrating 30 years of ‘life changing’ care – Deeside AM visits Saltney’s Neurotherapy Centre

Carl Sargeant AM received a tour of the Neurotherapy Centre in Saltney where people with a neurological condition and their carers receive therapies, advice and support.

The Alyn and Deeside Assembly Member sat in the hyperbaric chamber where members wear masks and receive high concentration oxygen therapy. The therapy can help boost energy, speech, movement and bladder control in those with Multiple Sclerosis and aids healing in members recovering from accidents.

He also received a tour of the gym and consulting rooms where magnetic therapy, physiotherapy, yoga and tai chi as well as complementary therapies including massage and manicures are offered.

There are also wellbeing classes and groups including a choir, Wii fit session, IT support and carers’ relaxation and a welcoming café for socialising.

“When the centre started 30 years ago it was exclusively for people with MS,” said centre manager Jane Johnston-Cree.

“We opened that up to people with other neurological conditions in 2010 and it sparked quite a big increase.”

The centre now has 500 members, about 200 of whom are from North Wales.

“People who come here don’t have an acute health issue but a long-term health issue where they have to make changes to their lifestyle and live with their condition,” added Jane.

“They don’t see themselves as ill and want something local to them that feels like a community centre rather than a health setting.

“We also have services aimed at supporting carers in the role they have. Caring is something that’s forced upon them and they have little training and guidance.”

Rodney Hughes has Parkinson’s disease and his wife Margaret is his carer. The Flint couple attend the centre together and told Mr Sargeant that it has been life-changing for them.

“Parkinson’s is degenerative and coming here keeps Rodney moving, he gets exercises and support and we meet people and have made very good friends,” said Margaret.

“Rodney has yoga this morning and Parkinson’s class this afternoon. I don’t know how we would have kept going without the centre.”

Carl Sargeant said:

“It’s wonderful to visit the centre and its members again during this important anniversary year.

“I particularly enjoyed hearing how people’s lives are being changed for the better through the support, friendship and treatment they receive at the centre.

“The Welsh Labour Government certainly believes that investing in preventative care is really important. Keeping people well is the right thing to do.”