Woman's private treatment hopes over health battle

Shania Melvin and her family are trying to raise money for private treatment for her FND

A woman who was left unable to move her body after suffering seizures said she feels "let down by the system" as she seeks private treatment.

Shania Melvin, 22, from Plymouth, was rushed to hospital while on holiday in Spain in June.

She was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which affects how the nervous system sends and receives signals around the body.

NHS Devon said its commissioning for neurological disorders was guided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

After being discharged from Derriford Hospital during the summer, Ms Melvin still suffers seizures, which often leave her wheelchair-bound.

She said she had a "vibrant life" before her medical problems occurred, which she said has taken her "independence away".

"I was always doing things like going to the gym and that was kind of taken away from me," she said.

Specialist centre

She is currently having private physiotherapy, as there is not NHS funding available in Devon to cover the ongoing costs for FND patients.

To help pay for her treatment, Ms Melvin's family and friends are aiming to raise money so she can attend a rehabilitation centre in London which specialises in neurological conditions.

Prices for treatment range between £15,000 to £100,000, with Ms Melvin's family setting an initial fundraising target of £50,000.

Her mother-in-law, Sue Westbrook, said: "She is just a beautiful soul, she never gives up, she never complains, she's always smiling and she desperately deserves to have that treatment."

'I try to keep positive'

Due to the lack of funding available, Ms Melvin said some people can wait years to receive the intense physio treatment.

"I try to keep positive as much as possible and I do what I can and do the physio," she added.

"But when you're doing everything that you can and you're let down, kind of, by the system in a way, that's the sad part."

Shania Melvin said she is trying to stay positive during her physio

NHS Devon said its current commissioning for neurological disorders was guided by the health guidance body.

The organisation added FND patients in the county do have provision in place "which is similar to other people living with other long term conditions".

"Specialised provision for FND in particular is not yet covered by NICE recommendations, but we are aware of the growing evidence for specialist services beyond that taken into account by NICE," a spokesperson added.