I was referred to the Countess of Chester by my GP 'cos neither he nor I could find a UK practitioner of NA. You could have knocked me down with a feather when my man proposed it.

I think he sees it as simply buying me some time - my finger was just at stage 1 and the contracture in my palm is expected to re-occur sooner with NA.

I had read elsewhere, possibly in this forum, that in the finger the nodules and the nerves are closely intertwined and the consultant said something to that effect and felt that to use NA would be to go blindly into a difficult situation. I can't now quote the exact terms of what I read nor his exact words but it all seemed to fit together at the time. I apologise if my vagueness is unhelpful.

I didn't think to ask where he was trained.

Sara,
You will not be surprised to hear that the BSSH were not interested in my plea that some, even one of their members go to France for training in NA. I cannot understand why no-one will listen without having the facts at their fingertips. I mean, how long would it take someone to pop over the channel and spend half a day finding out about NA? All this fear about hitting and damaging nerves is a load of rubbish. The injection does not deaden the nerves, only the top skin so, any pain felt by the patient means that the needle is too close to the nerve. At this point, the needle is moved away from that area.
I had a PIP done in Paris. As you say it is the most difficult to do but, my finger is only half as bent as it was and that's fine by me.
Marjorie

Frances, hi,
I have contacted the Healthcare Commission to see if they will deal with my case. Will let you know what they say. I am appalled to learn that no-one in our supposedly up to date country is doing NA.
Thanks for the info about the opposition member for health. I will find out who it is and make some enquiries.
Was it you who said that your DC is rampant?

M

Thank you for all the effort you are putting into getting NA here. I know how frustrated you feel, as I have got nowhere with mine. Even my MP just seemed to be "going through the motions". Did I ever tell you that my PCT stated there was "little or no demand for this procedure in the area"! Absurd! How can there be demand if most people don't know about it! It almost seems like they don't want to admit they are wrong and using antiquated methods. Two years after acceptance and no further down the line. If the US can take it on board why on earth can't we?

Sorry Frances,
I must have mis-understood. It must have been your husband you were writing about at the time.
M