Here at First Community, Helen Greenwood (pictured) is our Specialist Practitioner for MND and rare Neurology conditions working across east Surrey. Helen has over 17 years’ experience working with people in the community helping them manage to live as well as they can with their condition and have access to the timely support they need.
Helen acts a co-ordinator to ensure her patients have access to the services, support, equipment, and specialist care needed for their individual needs. Being diagnosed with MND can be a huge shock for the patient and those closest to them. Patients often feel overwhelmed and do not know what options are available to help them navigate the care system and to manage the various stages of the condition.
Once a referral is received, Helen visits the patient at home to understand their needs and wishes and to start building a relationship to help plan the best possible care and support. This can include referrals to other First Community services such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Dieticians. Helen also works across east Surrey with several partners to help patients access appropriate equipment including wheelchairs and communications aids to help patients continue with their usual activities inside and outside the home.
Patients and care providers can refer into the service in several ways including self-referral or via a GP or consultant once diagnosed. Visit our website for more information.
Helen continuously receives outstanding feedback from her patients and their careers, for example:
“I wanted to comment on how good Helen was in the role: so personable, an excellent listener and highly proactive and supportive.
Things of particular note included:
- the personal support she gave me as primary carer.
- her liaison with the Doctor from St Catherine's Hospice and the MND Consultants at the Lane Fox Unit and at St George's.
- her ability to conjure up equipment and speaking to the right people (e.g. with Millbrook, Surrey Wheelchair Services, IT support).
- her support around (the) RESPECT form and the decision to prioritise quality of life (versus extending life).
- her involvement in accessing CHC funding.
Thank you for your roles in overseeing such a strong network of support, which we appreciated hugely.”
Reflecting on her career Helen says “ My job is to help people understand their condition, continuously learn about MND and to work with patients to manage their symptoms, care options, medication and to navigate together the various stages of their condition. I want to ensure my patients can live the most comfortable and fulfilling life while balancing the nature of their condition.”