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Apology to paralysed man


By Sarah Rollo

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HEALTH bosses have apologised to a Moray man left in the dark over where, and when, a promised operation to ease “savage” spasms will take place.

Paul Taylor has received an apology from NHS Grampian.
Paul Taylor has received an apology from NHS Grampian.

Involuntary muscle contractions have been part of Paul Taylor’s life since a mountain biking accident seven and a half years ago left him paralysed from the chest down.

Mr Taylor (42) accepted that there was nothing that could be done until last January, when he was given a test injection of the chemical Baclofen during a visit to Glasgow’s Spinal Unit.

“It stopped the spasms completely. It was the first time in seven years that everything stopped,” he said.

Delight that a pump could be fitted under his skin to administer the chemical into his spinal cord soon turned to dismay.

Instead of having the operation at the Spinal Unit, NHS Grampian said they would fund the work, but carry out the procedure in Aberdeen.

Mr Taylor, of Gurness Circle, in Elgin, went to Aberdeen for further tests last spring, and was told to expect the operation around November. “I was disappointed, but I thought, ‘OK, I can wait until then’, he said.

“Here we are, going into May, and I still haven’t heard anything. I feel like I’m in No Man’s Land – I don’t even know if I’m on a list,” he said.

A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said that the health authority was sorry to hear about Mr Taylor’s experience.

“We apologise for any miscommunication about where this procedure would be carried out. Mr Taylor remains on the waiting list for this treatment, and we will be writing to him directly to bring him up to date.”


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