You have been referred to the Autonomic Unit at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN). This leaflet has been written by the Autonomic Unit for patients, their family or carers to provide information about the department and what you can expect from our service.
The Autonomic Unit
The Autonomic Unit comprises a multi- disciplinary team of consultants, nurse specialists, scientists, administrators and secretaries.
The focus is on the cardiovascular and sudomotor systems with close links to other relevant specialities within UCLH. The Unit investigates cardiovascular autonomic responses to postural changes and other key stimuli that we are all subjected to in daily life (such as food and exercise), and sudomotor (sweat gland) responses to physiological stimuli.
Which disorders do you treat?
We provide a comprehensive national tertiary clinical service (combining both investigation and management) for a wide variety of autonomic disorders. The Unit enables people with autonomic symptoms, some of which are multiple and complex, to manage their daily lives. Some examples are:
- Pure Autonomic Failure
- Autonomic dysfunction complicating Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
- Sweating dysfunction (including hyperhidrosis and anhidrosis)
- Holmes-Adie Syndrome, Harlequin’s Syndrome
- Autonomic dysfunction in spinal cord injury including autonomic dysreflexia
- Neurally mediated syncope
- Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)
- Autonomic diabetic neuropathy
Your care pathway
- Initial consultation with consultant or specialist registrar, during which you can raise any queries you may have.
- Autonomic testing with clinical autonomic scientists.
- Follow-up appointment to decide on next steps.
Where can I stay during my treatment? <h2>
If you live locally, you can travel from home for your appointments.
If needed, hotel arrangements or an inpatient stay can be provided.
Hospital Transport is available for patients who qualify; contact transport department for an assessment on 0203 4567010.
Facilities
Step-free access is available. Our department has a seated waiting area and wheelchair-accessible toilets. If you require any additional support, please contact us before your appointment.
How you can help us
Please arrive promptly for your appointment. If you think you will be late, please call us directly to let us know.
Please note that if you are more than 20 minutes late for your appointment, we may need to rebook you for another time.
Please be aware that you will be discharged from our service if you:
- Do not attend your initial appointment or you do not attend two follow-up appointments without telling us.
- Re-schedule follow up appointments more than twice.
In 2019, DNA’s reportedly cost the NHS £1 billion – please give us at least 48 hours notice if you will not be able to attend your appointment.
Contact details
Direct tel: 0203 448 3079
Fax: 0203 448 3878
Switchboard: 0203 456 7890
Email: uclh.
Website: www.
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
The Autonomic Unit (Box 87)
2nd Floor Queen Mary Wing
Queen Square
London
WC1N 3BG
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison service) provides a personal contact point to assist patients, relatives and carers. If you have an issue relating to our service, please contact PALS on 02034453237 or uclh.pals@nhs.net.
Where can I get more information?
Please visit our website or the UCLH Patient and Visitor information page for more information about the Autonomic Unit.
Services
Page last updated: 01 May 2024
Review due: 30 November 2025