GOSH wins national award for outstanding care

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has been officially recognised as a Centre of Clinical Excellence by Muscular Dystrophy UK at an award ceremony at the hospital.

The Trust received its national award from Rob Burley, Director of Campaigns, Care and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Rob met with representatives from GOSH and its paediatric neuromuscular team for the award presentation. He was welcomed by GOSH Chief Executive, Mat Shaw, GOSH Medical Director, Dr Sanjiv Sharma, and Director of the Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Professor Francesco Muntoni.

The key role played by staff at GOSH in supporting children who are living with nerve and muscle-wasting conditions was highlighted at the presentation.

The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre at GOSH was opened in 2008 and receives around 400 new child patients every year from across the UK.

As well as providing clinical assessments, diagnostic services and advice on treatment and rehabilitation for children with neuromuscular disorders, the centre also plays a leading role in clinical trials and research into the causes of neuromuscular diseases in childhood and new therapeutic interventions.

Rob Burley said: “We would like to congratulate GOSH, which has been deservedly been awarded Centre of Clinical Excellence status.

“This Trust provides comprehensive services for people with muscle-wasting conditions and promotes best practice, ensuring patients have access to the best.”

Mat Shaw said: “It is a great honour for GOSH’s Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre to be awarded the Paediatric Centre of Clinical Excellence status by Muscular Dystrophy UK.

“This award is testament to the dedication shown by our staff, who provide excellent care for children with neuromuscular conditions across the UK and undertake pioneering research to further our knowledge of effective treatments.”

The Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras where GOSH is located, Sir Kier Starmer MP, said: “I am delighted that the Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the status of Paediatric Centre of Clinical Excellence by Muscular Dystrophy UK. It is recognition of the outstanding, specialist care they provide to children living with a muscle-wasting condition and of their work to provide a high number of dedicated neuromuscular clinics. I want to congratulate all the staff who will be receiving this award for the fantastic service they provide.”

GOSH was designated a Centre of Clinical Excellence following a rigorous UK-wide audit of neuromuscular services by a panel of experts.

The audit was carried out to recognise high-quality care provided to people with muscle-wasting conditions – of which there are 70,000 in the UK. The London service is now one of 16 neuromuscular centres in the UK to be given the status. The award recognises excellence across a range of criteria, including the care received by patients, and helps to drive up the standards of clinical support for people with muscle-wasting conditions.

People featured in image from left to right: Dr Sanjiv Sharma, GOSH Medical Director, Eleanor Swavley, Physiotherapist, Dr Adnan Manzur, Consultant, Marion Main, Physiotherapist, Dr Anna Sarkozy, Consultant, Rob Burley, Director of Campaigns, Care and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK, Professor Francesco Muntoni, Director of the Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Dr Mariacristina Scoto, Consultant, Dr Sophie Varadker, Chief of Service Brain Directorate, Matthew Shaw, GOSH Chief Executive, Dr Giovanni Baranello, Consultant.