Facial Paralysis & Synkinesis (Facial Palsy)

If you develop a facial paralysis, seek immediate medical attention.

There are many possible causes of facial palsy, so it’s important to be assessed as soon as the paralysis appears (on the same day) by your GP or the emergency department. They will determine the likely cause, and you may need some scans

If the medical team think you might have Bell’s Palsy (or Ramsay Hunt) they will prescribe you steroids and antivirals. Make sure you take these. These medicines make it more likely you will recover. It is very important to protect your eye, information can be found online in the UK facial palsy charity website.

If you have Bell’s Palsy – most people (70%) recover – by 8 weeks.

If you haven’t fully recovered after eight weeks, see your GP to arrange a referral to a facial palsy specialist. In New Zealand, there is currently only one multidisciplinary clinic in the public health system providing comprehensive facial palsy care. This clinic is based at Hutt Hospital in Wellington, led by the Plastic Surgery Unit, with input from Ophthalmology, ENT, and the country’s first comprehensively trained facial therapist. Emily leads this clinic.

If you are from elsewhere in New Zealand, a local review by an ENT specialist or a neurologist can double check the reason for your facial palsy. As well as a local review, we recommend a referral to the Hutt Plastics Facial Palsy MDT clinic or Emily’s Wakefield clinic to create a detailed care plan with the most up to date techniques. The clinic also reviews congenital facial palsy, facial palsy in children (paediatric), complex cases, and those who have had previous surgery or treatment elsewhere.