Getting help with the symptoms and associated difficulties of HD

Examples of Support
Getting help with motor symptoms ( e.g. chorea, incoordination, problems with speech, fatigue, incontinence, swallowing, communication, falls/ balance, sensory loss, weight loss, oral health, excessive salivation, pain, epilepsy, sleep issues, temperature regulation, changes to posture and movement, sexual dysfunction )

Getting help with mental health symptoms ( e.g. depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, psychosis, irritability, obsessive disorder, lack of motivation, agitation )

Getting help with cognitive symptoms ( e.g. problems with: concentration, memory, visuospatial perception, reduced speed of processing, loss of mental flexibility, self-awareness, planning and organising, problem solving, judgement, decision making, repetition )

Key Services and People

HD Clinic ( HD Clinical Lead, HD Specialists, Specialist Youth Advisor, Financial Wellbeing Officer )

Neuropsychology 01236 712 564 )

Mental Health Support

Psychiatry

Acute General Hospitals ( University Hospital Hairmyres , University Hospital Monklands , University Hospital Wishaw )

Social work  ( North Lanarkshire ,  South Lanarkshire )

Speech & Language Therapy / Augmentative & Alternative Communication

Dietetics

Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapy North Lanarkshire  ,  South Lanarkshire )

Falls Team

Care Home Liaison Service (Physical Health)

Dental Services

GPs

Community Nursing ( via GP )

Continence Services ( via GP )

Pharmacy

Hospice/ Palliative Care Services ( Also see: St Andrew’s Hospice , Strathcarron Hospice , Kilbryde Hospice , The Haven, Specialist Palliative Care Nurses & Teams )

Carers’ Services

Addiction Services

Making Life Easier

Voluntary Action Service Locator ( North Lanarkshire , South Lanarkshire )

Integrated Multi Agency Arrangements, Referral Pathways and Resources

There is a core specialist team that includes an HD Clinical Lead & HD Specialist, who will liaise with Allied Health Professional staff, psychologist/ neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, GP and/or other agencies to coordinate the symptom management of each person with HD. Key staff should ideally remain consistent, providing continuity of support over time.

There are sufficient HD management clinics to allow at least one multi-disciplinary annual review for each person with HD and their carers.

There is a responsive and needs based facility for domiciliary visits, as required.

There are clearly established relationships, referral routes and criteria for referring a person with HD to mental health services and coordinating care.

Ordinarily capacity assessments can be carried out by GPs. In more complex cases GPs should liaise with Psychiatry

The named HD Specialist is notified of all hospital admissions, and a local system is in place to ensure this happens automatically.

HD Clinical Lead should write to GP to update on care plan.

With consent of the client a GP should complete a Key Information Summary (KIS) entry. General staff must contact specialist team.

Clear referral arrangements to rehabilitation services are in place.

SCI Gateway should clearly identify HD Specialists as main point of contact for information and advice about HD.

The Physician’s Guide to HD provides guidance on symptom management, including movement/motor ( p39 ), cognitive ( p51 ) & mental health/psychiatric symptoms ( p63 ). Please discuss with HD Service prior to commencing treatment.

Standards
European Standards for Huntington’s Disease provides a framework of standards for the clinical management of HD.

The Physician’s Guide to HD provides clear guidance on symptom management. NHS Boards should use this to develop prescribing guidance on HD, which should be ratified by their Drug & Therapeutic Committee to prevent treatments being stopped inappropriately.

Treatment algorithms for chorea, OCD and irritability are also available

All HD clients should have a named HD Specialist

Every symptomatic individual should have a symptom management plan that has been developed with the involvement of an experienced HD Clinical Lead. Where appropriate the client should be provided with a copy of this.

HD specialist team must be notified of all admissions to secondary care.

People with HD should be treated as close to their home as is possible

Outcomes
People with HD and their families are satisfied with their symptom management, health, wellbeing and quality of life.
National Care Framework for Huntington's Disease

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