A woman who needs Botox injections to treat her cerebral palsy is worried about future treatment after a consultant announced he was retiring.

Sara Burtonwood receives the injections at Breightmet Health Centre, which she has been uses for 22 years.

The botulinum is injected in her legs to help aid muscle spasticity and tightness, reduce pain and improve gait pattern.

Botulinum, also known as Botox, blocks the chemical signals between the nerves and the muscles, causing muscle paralysis. This can help with walking, balance and falls when injected into the leg muscles.

Ms Burtonwood, who works as a primary school teaching assistant, receives the injections from Dr Tarek Gaber, a Consultant in Neurological Rehabilitation, every five months. It was at her June appointment where she learned that Dr Gaber was retiring at the end of October, and she says she was told the Health Centre were struggling to fill the position.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has stressed clinics will be running and 'permanent plans are in place'.

(Image: Sara and Ian Burtonwood)

Ms Burtonwood says that over four months later,  she has had no update from the NHS about whether she will still have access to the injections.

She said: “I’m terrified of not being able to get this treatment, it’s so stressful. I’ve been having them since I was 17 and I remember how I was before; I don’t want to go back to that.

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“Without these injections, I won’t be able to do my job. It’ll affect my entire income. I’d have to rely on my husband or find an alternative job where I’m not as happy – which I shouldn’t have to do.

“I feel so abandoned, there’s no clinic around Bolton for me to be referred to. There are clinics in Manchester and Liverpool that offer the injections, but the waiting list for these is 12 months.

“The health centre orders the Botox in batches; they’ve apparently been told to return it because it won’t get used. It doesn’t sound like they’re able to fill the position.

(Image: Google maps)

“I’ve e-mailed the NHS to complain, but older visitors might not have access to the internet or fully understand the complaints procedure – they might not have the confidence to speak out.”

Ian Burtonwood, Sara’s husband, said: “Sara’s been very upset, not being able to get these injections would change her life completely.

“I’ve seen her without the injections, her walking’s completely different, she’s in a lot of pain and really struggles with movement.

“I can’t believe she’s not even had a letter about it. She’s been left in the lurch completely, it’s really wrong.

“I don’t think they’ve considered how this will affect people’s wellbeing – we want a concrete answer from the health centre about what the next steps are, and whether Sara will be able to access the treatment she desperately needs.”

Rae Wheatcroft, Chief Operating Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have plans in place to provide a permanent solution for our patients.

“In the meantime, we have contacted all of our patients who are affected by the change, and we are planning to provide clinics to ensure people can continue to receive the treatment and support they need.

“If anyone has any concerns or questions, please contact our Neurology team directly who are happy to help.”

Got a story? e-mail me at Leah.collins@newsquest.co.uk