Local Face: Donald Bedford
Donald Bedford has never lived here but since 1990 he has spent most of each day, evening and weekend in Halton as Administrator of the Chilterns Multiple Sclerosis Centre. CMSC is only able to retain his services because of his own generosity. The patients and staff are very attached to him due to his dedicated professionalism, welcoming attitude to all, sensitivity and sense of humour. He has established himself as a very well known and respected specialist in this sometimes neglected disease area.
He started caring for people with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987 when the treatment centre was located in Princes Risborough. The lease ran out in 1990 and Donald Bedford managed to secure a 10 year lease at RAF Halton which was extended for another 18 months from July 2000. Ever since Donald moved to the Chilterns in 1961 the future of RAF Halton has been in doubt so the present uncertainty is nothing new. “Self help is our way of action” is the motto of the CMSC and they will carry on for as long as possible, looking for new premises if necessary.
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease which usually starts in young adulthood, onset age 20 to 30 but some people do not know or are not diagnosed until they are much older. The female:male ratio Is 1.7:1. There may be a genetic predisposition which is triggered either by the environment or an assault of some sort like a virus, surgery or X-ray. It is not easy to diagnose but the modern MRI scanner can show characteristic lesions in the brain and spinal cord and lumbar puncture can show biochemical changes. The difficulty of diagnosis leads to difficulty in research since there is no easy marker to follow. The NHS is overwhelmed and 160 patients a week are referred to the CMSC by CP’s and consultants, all seen personally by Dr Donald Bedford. :
Even before Donald Bedford arrived treatment therapies were established and have since developed considerably. He came well equipped with years of experience in medical research starting at Cambridge, then with May & Baker and the Medical Research Council, from a background in Pathology and Immunology. More importantly, he came with an open mind, always looking for new ways to Improve treatment, always looking for clues. It is currently thought that Multiple Sclerosis could be an autoimmune condition where the body starts to generate antibodies to parts of itself so the immunology back- ground is particularly relevant.
Donald Bedford has been relentless in his pursuit of the two functions of the CMSC. The first is to offer treatments, care and support for people with MS including support of their family and friends. Treatments include most notably physiotherapy as a partnership of the realistic needs and aspirations of the patient combined with the professional judgement and skills of the therapist. The other “famous” therapy is Hyperbaric Oxygen. For many people it provides symptomatic relief and help in containing the disease. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can be useful in other conditions such as cerebral palsy and sports injuries so non-MS patients sometimes benefit from these facilities, too. Advice and training are also given where appropriate concerning use of a wheelchair and nutrition. A speech therapist is present to treat problems with eating and swallowing. Other treatments include remedial massage and manual lymphatic drainage. They would like to fund a dietitian and an occupational therapist. It is a firm belief of Donald Bedford that research must continue alongside therapy. This is the second function of the CMSC. One current project follows on from Italian work monitoring the benefits of physiotherapy in an In-patient situation. This extension is the monitoring is of the benefits of physiotherapy in an out-patient situation. Another project is investigating the relationship between lymphoedema and MS.
All this work means that Donald Bedford and the CMSC are well respected by local doctors. Both GPs and specialists from an area encompassing Stoke Mandeville, High Wycombe, Amersham and West Herts (Hemel Hempstead) Hospitals send 500 patients annually to this NHS Primary Care Provider. It is a charitable Institution (Chllterns MS Therapy Centre is Registered Charity number 800853) which also sends patients back Into the NHS system as appropriate. Patients pay an annual subscription of £10 and make an additional donation £8 per week to the Centre. Local primary Care Groups buy some of the services as described above.
The rest of the work is funded by the generosity of individuals and groups, local companies and trusts responding to appeals and fund raising events. Donald Bedford’s contacts throughout the county have rallied to help with fundraising, which achieves about £100,000 per annum, a phenomenal sum. It is a local charity which helps many people to live life to the full. If you would like to make a donation, you can send a cheque directly to Dr Donald Bedford Chilterns Multiple Sclerosis Centre Scarlett Avenue, Halton HP22 SPC or you could become a helper telephone 01296 696133.