What are neuroscience services?
The term ‘neuroscience’ refers to a group of specialist disciplines. The two main specialties are neurology (medical) and neurosurgery (surgical). Along with a range of other specialists, neurologists and neurosurgeons treat people with disorders of the nervous system. These include problems affecting the brain and spinal cord and the nerves and muscles in the rest of the body, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or brain injuries.
Disorders of the nervous system are quite common. Not all are serious and many can be dealt with locally by your GP and in the community. Some people will need to be referred to a secondary care facility, like a local hospital. Some people, who need more specialist care, will have to go to a neuroscience centre.
The neuroscience centre in Edinburgh is not only for the people of Lothian, it is where patients from the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Forth Valley and Fife are transferred for specialist care. It covers a population of 1.6 million across these areas, while for some specialist services it covers the 2.8 million people living on the east side of Scotland.
Where are neuroscience services at present?
NHS Lothian’s Department of Clinical Neuroscience is currently located at:
50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ (0131 536 1000)
