Recovery ‐ Newsletter of the GBS Association of NSW
September 2016
their family and friends. As such there are a number of
cost benefits to the patient, staff and hospital that flow
on from this support.
From page 1
Basically it is a tiny digital camera that goes down the
throat to assess problems. This new machine is about
the size of small laptop computer whereas the existing
machine is about the size of a filing cabinet. The great
things about this new machine is that it is readily
portable and could be viewed by the patient/family and
friends at the bedside enabling first hand real time
explanations about what is wrong and treatment
strategies. I have seen a presentation of its use and the
images are really amazingly clear.
I am proud we are able to help support Ryde Hospital
and their GBS/CIDP patients. We will bring you more
about this donation in later editions of Recovery.
On a more sombre note I recently attended a memorial
service celebrating the wonderful life of Forbes Carlile
beloved partner of our long standing and much loved
Patron Ursula. Before attending I had some knowledge
of the larger than life personality. However, after
viewing the Carlile Foundation video presentations and
hearing from champions and leaders of swimming and
sport in general from across the globe I sat in awe at
the ground breaking achievements in sports
performance that were enunciated over and again. In
a country with such a comparative short history and
small population iconic figures that have helped forge
our identity, especially in swimming, rightly deserve the
accolades of a grateful nation. We salute the life and
achievement of Forbes and gives thanks for the ongoing
support of our patron Ursula with whom we convey our
best wishes at this time.
Currently, one of these machines is available at Royal
North Shore Hospital but not Ryde, so patients have to
be transferred making it a time and resource consuming
exercise. Why is this machine important to GBS/CIDP
patients? Some may not be aware, many GBS/CIDP
patients spend a long time in hospital and may be
intubated with all sorts of medical apparatus either put
down their throat and/or through it to help them
breathe. This can, despite good care, lead to damage
and/or infection, difficulties with speech, breathing,
swallowing, build-up of secretions etc. Many patients
remark at their inability communicate and the stress and
trauma they experience and that of their loved ones
because of this. As such it is vitally important to be able
to readily and accurately diagnose the problem/s and
treat them. This machine will significantly enhance the
capability of staff to more readily respond to these
concerns and by extension may lead to shorter hospital
stays and an overall better quality of life for the
GSB/CIDP patient and help alleviate the concerns of
In closing, we always welcome visitors and new
members to our meetings. You can just sit and listen or
tell your GBS/CIDP story during our forum segment.
Each story helps us better understand GBS/CIDP.
Cheers
Mark.
About FEES and the GBS Patient
FEES is an instrumental procedure used to evaluate
swallowing function and guide the treatment of
swallowing disorders.
It involves passing a scope with a camera attached into
the nasal cavity and down the throat to provide direct
visualisation of the surface anatomy of the structures of
swallowing. To assess swallow function, consider
therapeutic techniques, prescribe strategies and
appropriate food and liquid consistencies.
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