Royal Stoke MS Centre of Excellence

 

The Royal Stoke MS Centre is a dedicated space at the hospital's outpatient department, delivering diagnostic clinics for suspected MS and related conditions in addition to specialised clinics and treatment facilities for people with MS.

The centre is attached to community-based MS clinics covering Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and surrounding areas which deliver specialised services close to home.​

We offer:

  • Rapid access to specialised MS advice when needed
  • Fast-tracked access to diagnosis
  • Rapid access to specialised MS treatments when indicated
  • Specialised service close to home through community-based satellite clinics
  • Signposting/liaison of long-term needs with different specialties
  • Quality support and education for people with MS, their families and carers

MS Response Stoke

A dedicated MS nurse on-call service offering phoneline support, support for urgent needs and support to the acute neurology team in A&E and on wards.​

Newly-Diagnosed Clinic

An opportunity to learn more about MS, treatments, self-management choices, local services and living well with MS.

Relapse Assessment Clinic

Review of patients who think they may have had a relapse and advice about the most appropriate action.

Symptoms Management Review

Review of patient symptoms, triggers and types.

Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) Clinics

To assess for eligibility for both first and second line treatments, annual reviews and regular checks on treatments including assessments before infusions of specialised treatments.

Neuroinflammation Diagnostic Clinic

Consultant-lead clinic to assess people with suspected MS or related conditions.

Home visits

Can be arranged by your MS nurse if this is required in exceptional circumstances.

Infusion Suite

Situated at our MS Centre and aiming to deliver specialised medications that need infusions like Steroid or Tysabri.

 

Consultant Neurologists

Dr A Al-Araji (Clinical Lead)
Dr R Abraham
Dr S Kalra

Dr Omar Salim

MS Clinical Nurse specialists

Claire Lowndes
Karen Sheldon
Lucy Ruscoe
Nichola Perrin
Hyley Keohane
Lorraine Ellis

Clinical Psychological Therapist

Karen Ellis

Rehab Team

This is made up of a multidisciplinary team based at Haywood Hospital and varying clinical rehabilitation teams based in different community locations. Please ask the team about your specific area.

Medical Secretaries

Julie Sloan
Teresa Denic
Jenny PakemanResearch Team

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Emily Howard​

MS Response Stoke:
A dedicated MS nurse on-call service dealing with phone line, urgent needs, and supporting acute neurology team at A&E and wards.

Newly Diagnosed Clinic:
An opportunity to learn more about MS, treatments, self-management choices, local services and living well with MS.

Relapse Assessment Clinic:
Review of patients who think they may have had a relapse to advise about the most appropriate action.

Symptoms Management Review:
Review of patients symptoms, triggers and types.

Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) Clinics:
To assess for eligibility for of both first and second line treatments, annual reviews and regular checks on treatments including assessments before infusions of specialised treatments.

Neuroinflammation Diagnostic Clinic:
Consultant-lead clinic to assess people with suspected MS or related conditions.

Home visits:
Can be arranged by your MS nurse if this is required in special circumstances.

Infusion Suite:
Situated at our Centre to deliver specialised medications that need infusions like Steroid or Tysabri.​​

Initial Referrals

To access our service, you must first be referred. In the NHS, you have the right to be referred to the service of your choice. Your GP can refer you to the Royal Stoke MS Centre of Excellence by providing the details of your condition.

If you are known to our service and would like to contact us, please telephone or email for an assessment. You should contact us if:​

  • You have any questions about your condition or treatment options
  • Are concerned by symptoms that you are experiencing
  • You think that you may be having a relapse
  • You are finding it difficult to cope with living with MS
  • You need advice about medication
  • ​You are managed in another service and are interested in a second opinion
  • You require any written or verbal information on MS

MS Response Stoke

Monday - Friday 8am-5pm
Helpline: (01782) 679462 or 679464
Email: multiplesclerosisnurses@uhns.nhs.uk

If the call is not of an urgent nature we will call you back within three to five working days. Please leave the following details:​

  • Name
  • Unit number
  • NHS number (if known)
  • Date of Birth
  • Contact telephone number

However, if you feel your symptoms/condition is of an urgent nature, please speak to your GP or attend A&E.

Consultant wins 'Outstanding Physician' at 2017 QuDoS in Multiple Sclerosis awards

UHNMs Dr Adnan Al-Araji, has won the prestigious 'Outstanding Physician' award at the 2017 QuDoS in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) recognition programme.

Now in its third year, the QuDoS in MS Awards highlights innovation and excellence in MS management and service delivery and also recognise the valuable contribution of individuals and teams in improving the quality of life and experience of care for those with MS.

Dr Adnan Al-Araji, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Director for MS, said: "Thank you to the MS Trust and QuDoS committee for recognising the work we have been doing at the Royal Stoke for people with MS it is the fantastic team who deserves all the glory. Our team works by the mantra ''Excellence is not an accident'' and all our staff are committed to delivering the highest standard of care for our patients. The feedback we receive from patients is overwhelmingly positive and we use their comments to help shape our service and develop as professionals."​

MS Society Awards 2017

Our team won the 'Medicines Optimisation' and 'MS Professional of the Year' awards recently for our re-design of the MS service at Royal Stoke​.

Staffordshire Neurological Alliance 'Best of Staffordshire' Award

The MS team received the 'Promoting Excellence in Neurological Services' award in September 2017 in recognition of their outstanding improvements to the MS service and putting the patient first.​

MS team win '​Clinical Team of the Year' at UHNM Staff Awards

Congratulations to the team (pictured above) who celebrated their win at the 'Night full of stars' awards ceremony, held at the King's Hall on Friday 18 November 2016.

Nikki Embrey, MS Nurse Specialist 

Nikki (pictured) has been named a UHNM Hero by one of her patients. Mr and Mrs Bill Wood said: "Nurses like Nikki are a credit to the hospital and the MS clinic. "She has given my wife renewed hope and confidence in dealing with her condition."​

Nikkin has also recently been 'Highly Commended' in the QuDoS – Recognising Quality in the Delivery of Services in Multiple Sclerosis – 2016 Awards: Outstanding MS Specialist Nurse category.

Dr Seema Kalra, Neurology Specialist Registrar

Dr Kalra was awarded 1st poster prize for the Best Clinical - Lab-based Study poster recently at the ​​​​Health Research Conference in Staffordshire.

Staff Awards at UHNM

The Royal Stoke MS team have been shortlisted for 'Clinical Team of the Year' at UHNM's annual staff awards, taking place on 18 November 2016.

Multiple Sclerosis Trust
Telephone: 01462 476 700
Web: www.mstrust.org.uk

National MS society
Telephone: 0808 800 8000
Email: www.mssociety.org.uk​

Local branches MS society

North Staffs Branch MS society
Telephone: 07702493001

South East Cheshire branch MS society
Telephone: 01270 761 570

Cannock Branch MS society
Telephone: 01785 714487

Burton- On-Trent branch MS society
Telephone: 07769 114 912

Email: contactburtonms@yahoo.co.uk

Macclesfield branch MS society
Telephone: 01625 430 933
Email: macclesfield@mssociety.org.uk

MS ResponseStoke

9am-5pm on weekdays

Tel: 01782 679462 & 679464 (Fax 08442448530)

MultipleSclerosis.Nurses@uhnm.nhs.uk

Secretaries
Royal Stoke: 01782 679462
County hospital: 01785 230238
Leighton Hospital: 01270 273630

Other Services

Keele MS Research Group

There are many on going clinical trials for new medications within our research MS team. Your MS nurse can discuss these in details and if you are interested, you will be referred for further information and assessment for eligibility into different clinical trials.

Psychological Therapy Services

We offer MS patients psychological services to support them with their diagnosis and day to day lives. These are available on a one to one basis as well as group psychology sessions which are run for 16 weeks twice a year if the therapist thinks you will benefit from this intervention. Please ask your MS nurse for more details

Rehabilitation Services

Available Rehab services include a multidiscipline Rehab Team at the Haywood Hospital, in addition to community-based Rehab, OT, Physio and other healthcare professionals. Your MS nurse can discuss with you what is the best option for your needs.​