Welcome to NHS Orkney’s page for neurological conditions for adults (16+)
A neurological condition refers to all diseases of, or abnormal function of, the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nervous system.
NHS Orkney provides access to Consultants, Specialist Nurses, and many other Healthcare Professionals and Support Workers who are committed to providing excellent standards of treatment and care. They work together with your GP, Social Services and Voluntary Organisations to provide diagnosis, rehabilitation, care and support to those affected, their family, friends and carers.
This page provides an overview of our services and information about common neurological conditions, self-management topics and local support.
Outpatient and Community services
Most people with a neurological condition receive their diagnosis and the care they require as an outpatient.
Specialist diagnosis and management is provided by Consultant Neurologists and Physicians. This may be offered face-to-face in Orkney, via a video link clinic or at times requires travel to NHS Grampian or further afield.
Orkney has facilities for X-ray and CT scanning. More specialised scans such as MRI usually requires travel out-with Orkney.
Depending upon what you need, rehabilitation and support is provided by a local team of professionals that includes:
- Community Nurses
- Dieticians
- Mental Health Nurses
- Occupational Therapists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Speech & Language Therapists
- Support Workers
If you feel you would benefit from support from any of these services, you can contact many of them directly or you can discuss a referral with your GP.
Inpatient hospital services
If you are unwell or require more support, Inpatient Units 1 and 2 at The Balfour provide acute care and rehabilitation however, at times you might be offered transfer to Aberdeen or a Specialist National Centre until your condition can be supported locally.
Instructions for visiting The Balfour can be found here or on the home page of the NHS Orkney website.
Specialist Nurses and Practitioners
Some neurological conditions have access to healthcare professionals who have additional experience and training in the condition they support.
For people affected by Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, this service is provided locally.
People affected by Epilepsy, Headache, Myasthenia Gravis, Spinal Cord Injury are supported by services out with Orkney.
Contact details can be found in the condition pages below.
More about my condition
- Epilepsy
- Functional Neurological Disorder
- Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Headache/migraine
- Huntington’s Disease
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myotonic Dystrophy
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post Polio Syndrome
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke and Mini-stroke (TIA)
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Transverse Myelitis
Things I can do
- Managing Stress
- Thinking and Cognition
- Keeping Active
- Eating well
- Sleeping well
- Continuing my employment or education
Local support
Voluntary Action Orkney: Information Hub
Local charity providing befriending services and a Community Directory of other community and voluntary groups in Orkney.
Website: https://www.vaorkney.org.uk/information-hub
Crossroads
Local charity supporting carers with information, emotional support and practical help.
Website: https://www.crossroadsorkney.co.uk/
Orkney Health and Care Adult Services Helpdesk
Accepts referrals and requests for care services and points you in the right direction to help you find what you need.
Website: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/adult-services-helpdesk.htm
Orkney Disability Forum
Local charity providing Dial a Bus, Shop Mobility and equipment advice/and sale services.
Website: https://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/odf/
Home Start Orkney
Local community network providing practical and confidential support to young families.
Website: https://homestartorkney.org.uk/
Growing up in Orkney
Website providing information and advice on who to contact for support to children, teenagers, young adults and families with older children.
Website: https://growingupinorkney.co.uk/
Age Scotland Orkney
Local charity providing care support services and advice for older adults (50+) living in Orkney.
Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/orkney/
Other useful links
Neurological Alliance of Scotland
An umbrella body of organisations that represent people with Neurological Conditions and those that support them, working collaboratively to improve the care and support that people receive.
Website: https://www.scottishneurological.org.uk/
Development of this resource is ongoing and additional information will be added as it becomes available. We hope that you have found this page useful. Please contact us if you think we have missed anything important; if you have any issues accessing the pages or simply to provide your feedback using the email below.
This page has been developed as part of a local Neurological Framework Project supported by funding from the Scottish Government 2021-2022.