Amazing medics changed my life

Pride in Oldham nominees, Pennine MSK Partnership at the Integrated Care Centre. Left to right, Ian Marshall, Carly Telford, Dr. Neil Snowden, Margaret Miller.

AN Oldham-based orthopaedics and rheumatology service changed the life of a patient who is up and about after not being able to walk earlier this year.

Patricia Seddon said before she visited the Oldham Integrated Care Centre-based Pennine MSK Partnership she could barely walk to due to a horrible pain in both of her ankles.

The difficulty began in February this year and Patricia was forced to give up her job due to the problem which doctors had been unable to solve.

However, after discovering the Pennine MSK Partnership and following podiatry care with the service Patricia said her life has been changed.

Patricia said: “I was in a lot of pain — it was affecting me every day.

“I was no longer able to work because the problem was so bad. I couldn’t walk.

“Doctors gave me drugs but nothing was working. I referred myself to Pennine MSK after finding out about them and was treated there for three months.

“I woke up one morning after treatment and could not believe I could walk.

“All the staff were amazing. They could not have been more helpful. They changed my life.

“I thought I’d end up with a stick and that I wouldn’t walk properly again.

“I think people should know that this service is there, it’s fabulous.”

Jill Firth, consultant nurse rheumatology and director for service improvement at Pennine MSK Partnership, said: “The Pennine Musculoskeletal Partnership is delighted to be nominated for a Pride of Oldham award.

“We deliver an innovative consultant led, community based, high quality, patient-focused NHS ICAT service in orthopaedics and rheumatology with psychological medicine in chronic pain input for the residents of Oldham.

“We were pleased to hear of the improvements in pain and mobility this woman gained as a result of the high quality podiatry care she received from Ian Marshall working collaboratively with Carly Telford in community team. Thank you.”