Rupak's story

My primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis changed my life.

Back in 2018, Team NWAS volunteer Rupak was living down south with his family and had just set up his own business after a successful career in media and advertising. Rupak had noticed that he was starting to fall over a lot and went to hospital where an MRI scan discovered lesions on his spine.

This led to him being diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). PPMS is a very rare type of MS affecting about 10-15% of people diagnosed with MS and affects mobility and speech quite rapidly. Rupak’s condition has left him unable to work and he ended up losing his business which he put so much effort into.

Rupak, his partner and three children were then forced to move in with family in Liverpool to ensure the children had a stable home environment and Rupak later moved into a wheelchair-accessible flat.

Due to regular routine appointments with his condition at various clinics and hospitals, Rupak has since become dependent on our non-emergency patient transport service (PTS).

Our PTS ambulance crews collect patients who are eligible for transport and take them to their appointment and back home again. Rupak uses it every week and would not be able to attend his appointments without the service.

Rupak has always had a positive experience with our PTS crews over the past two years of using the service and recently met with PTS Ambulance Care Assistant, Hannah, after getting in touch wanting to thank her for her support on a recent transfer. Rupak said:

“It was lovely to see Hannah and to also thank her in person as she safely transported me to my appointment whilst being able to stay in my wheelchair. This is a big thing for me as I struggled with my mobility. She made sure I was in my home safely. It was a very good experience and I’m so grateful for service as it is a huge part of my life.”

YOU CAN JOIN OUR PPP

Our PPP is open to members of the public living in the North West region over the age of 16 to influence improvements to our core service lines.

With three different flexible levels of involvement, you can take part in a way that suits you best, even if that’s in person or online.

Visit nwas.nhs.uk/panel to find out more.