Professor Helen Cross elected President of the International League Against Epilepsy

23 Apr 2020, 11:01 a.m.

Headshot of Helen

Professor Helen Cross, honorary consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Head of the Developmental Neurosciences Programme at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), has been elected President of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) for the 2021-2025 term.Professor Cross has been elected to the ILAE management committee for seven years, most recently as its Treasurer. This latest appointment will see her become the first woman and only the second paediatric specialist to hold the post, after receiving more than three quarters of the vote worldwide.

Speaking of the appointment, Professor Cross, who is also the Prince of Wales’ Chair of Childhood Epilepsy said:

“It’s such an honour and achievement, but also a huge opportunity to take forward a number of initiatives, including making educational materials more accessible to countries where epilepsy resources are limited. Telemedicine is another area we’re exploring more, and it’s come into the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s about collaboration and making sure information is shared with professionals around the world.

My work with patients and families at GOSH in epilepsy research and service development has been a main motivation for taking on this role, and my mission will be to share best practices but also raise awareness locally of resources from elsewhere with the potential to transform care.”

Founded in 1909, the ILAE is an organisation for healthcare professional and scientists involved in the care of people with epilepsy across the globe. Boasting more than 120 national chapters, it seeks to promote research, education and training to improve the standard of care for people with epilepsy, so that no person’s life is limited by the condition.

Scientists discover clues to help children with rare muscle disease

New ground-breaking research by experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London (UCL) has led to an exciting discovery that could help children with the rare muscle disease, juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

GOSH-led trial of AI-scribe technology shows ‘transformative’ benefits for patients and clinicians across London

A major GOSH-led study has found that AI-scribing technology can significantly reduce clinician workload while improving patient care

GOSH marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Join us in the Lagoon on 3, 4 and 30 September between 11am and 2pm for a range of activities to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

90s time capsule sealed by Diana, Princess of Wales, revealed

A time capsule, laid by Diana, Princess of Wales, at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) 34 years ago has been opened to enable construction of the hospital’s new Children’s Cancer Centre