UCLH trial of world-first treatment for Alzheimer’s disease progresses into larger trial
17 April 2024
Publish date: 06 May 2022
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, The Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP visited the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), earlier this week (Wednesday 4 May 2022).
As the UK's largest dedicated neurological and neurosurgical hospital, Sajid Javid met staff from UCLH and UCL involved in leading-edge research at the Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre. Here patients are able to be involved in the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including first-in-human studies of novel therapies for conditions such as motor neuron disease, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
The emergency stroke team shared their experiences of bringing the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit to NHNN and developing the service during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the implementation of remote triage of patients in their home and ambulances. This new approach means that patients can be diverted more rapidly to the most appropriate service and has reduced the time to life-saving and life-changing treatments such as mechanical thrombectomy.
The Secretary of State was accompanied by Mr Guy Opperman MP for Hexham, who had surgery for a brain tumour at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in 2011. They met with the neurosurgery and theatres teams as well as colleagues from the National Brain Appeal before visiting the Molly Lane Fox Ward which specialises in the treatment of people with brain tumours. Here they spoke with patients and staff, heard about how the team care for those recovering from surgery and thanked staff for everything they have done throughout the pandemic.
Chief executive David Probert said: “I am extremely proud of the services and research that the teams at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery provide for our patients. It was a privilege to be able to share the achievements of the hospital with Sajid Javid and to hear from patients about the difference the hospital makes to them.”
Chris Turner, Divisional Clinical Director said: “ We were delighted to showcase the world-leading services at NHNN to The Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP and Guy Opperman MP. The teams can be extremely proud of their achievements and we look forward to developing and delivering cutting edge treatments for our patients at Queen Square”
