The Cambridge Multiple Sclerosis Clinic

What to expect

A first visit to the clinic will usually involve a consultation with a Neurologist and with a Specialist Nurse. You may also have some blood tests and meet a member of the Research team.

Please allow a couple of hours for this visit.

Note that there are often students in the clinic.

Follow up appointments tend to be either with a Neurologist or a Specialist Nurse.

Many people on treatment need monitoring blood tests at these visits too. Mostly, these take place at the Newmarket Road Park and Ride.

We use a computerised notes system at Addenbrooke’s, called EPIC, which means that the specialist seeing you will type their notes on to the computer rather than using pen and paper. We aim to have your scans available on this system in time for your first visit.

After your visit we will write to your GP and referring doctor, and we will send you a copy of this letter too.

What to Bring

Please bring a list of your current medications with you, including over the counter preparations. The doctors will also ask about your medical history and any conditions that run in the family, so it is helpful to have thought about this in advance. If you have had scans done previously that you hold on discs or on hard copy, please bring these with you as well.

The DMT team in clinic

Neurologist and clinical lead

Claire McCarthy

Neurologists

• Will Brown
• Alasdair Coles
• Leonora Fisniku
• Joanne Jones
• Stephen Sawcer
• Sybil Stacpole
• John Thorpe

Specialist nurses

• Anna Hawkins
• Harriet Parsons
• Lina Bakaite
• Patricia Henry
• Julie Reeve
• Michelle Reeve
• Daniela Soares Régua

MS pharmacist

Kenneth Chu

What to expect

Progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) is a clinical form of MS characterised by gradual accrual of disability independent of relapses over time. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) occurs aftere an initial relapsing course of the disease and primary progressive (PPMS) occurs with gradual accumulation of disability from the onset. PMS represents a significant challenge, as the pathogenesis of the disease is not well understood, no validated outcome measures have yet been established, and the clinical trial experience to date has been mostly disappointing. Advances in the understanding of the disease and lessons learned in previous clinical trials are paving the way for successful development of disease modifying agents for this disease.

We manage a broad range of patients who have either showed signs of progression of disabilities from early stages, or evolved into progressive disease after a disease onset characterised by relapses and remissions.

You may also have some blood tests and meet a member of the Research team. Note that there may be students in the clinic.

This clinic is aimed at providing a multi-disciplinary team-based approach that deals with symptoms and disabilities, as well as offer patients the opportunity to be involved in numerous research projects.

What to bring

Please bring a list of your current medications with you, including over the counter preparations. The doctors will also ask about your medical history and any conditions that run in the family, so it is helpful to have thought about this in advance. If you have had scans done previously that you hold on discs or on hard copy, please bring these with you as well.

The progressive MS team

• Claire McCarthy - Neurologist
• Stefano Pluchino - Neurologist
• Luca Peruzzotti-Jametti - Neurologist
• Stephen Kirker - Rehabilitation Medicine
• Anna Hawkins - Specialist Nurse

Several treatments are given as infusions (drips) on a day case basis; the first dose of Fingolimod (Gilenya) is also given as a day case, requiring 6 hours of observation. Treatments may be given either be on Ward R3 or Ward A3.

Tysabri (natalizumab) infusions are typically given on Ward R3;

Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) infusions are usually given on Ward A3;

Gilenya (fingolimod) is given as a tablet, but the first dose requires 6 hours of post-dose monitoring, which is usually carried out on Ward A3;

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) infusions are usually given on Ward A3.

After your visit we will send your GP a discharge summary and give you a copy of this letter too (usually through MyChart).

Please bring a list of your current medications with you, including over the counter preparations. It can be helpful to bring the tablets themselves.

It can be quite a long day, so bring something to help you relax, like a book or laptop.

When in our hospitals you can connect to ‘NHS Wi-Fi’ from your chosen personal device (e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop) to access the internet using our free patient and visitor Wi-Fi service.

Treatments are given on R3 and A3. You can also find directions on how to get there on the 'How to reach us page'.

Ward A3

Ward A3 is part of a regional neurosciences unit.

Ward A3 is on level three of the A block at Addenbrooke's, which is between the main outpatients centre and the main reception (entrances are on level 2). Ask at either reception for directions.

Opening times

Monday to Friday

08:00 - 17:00

Telephone 01223 349868

Ward R3 - Neurosciences

R3 consists of the Programmed Investigation Unit (PIU) and an outpatient clinic.

The ground floor of the hospital is described as level 2. R3 is on level 3 ie. 1 floor up.

From the main hospital entrance: Turn right as you enter through the revolving door, then turn left and walk past the hairdresser, across the corridor and past the lifts (on your left) and ward D2 (on your right). Take the corridor in front of you, signposted F and G wards. Walk to the end of the corridor, which ends in a T junction. Turn left towards the Lewin Stroke Unit and continue along the corridor towards the garden. Walk through the garden and then re-enter the building through the automatic doors on your right to the R block and take the lift (on your left) up one floor to R3.

Information on car parking and discounts available can be found here.

Opening times

Monday to Friday

08:30 - 17:00

Telephone 01223 216348

Will Brown - Big Data in MS

Alasdair Coles - Cambridge Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Research

Jo Jones - Cambridge Immunology

Ragnhildur Thóra Káradóttir - Myelin Repair

Stefano Pluchino Regenerative Neuroimmunology

Stephen Sawcer MS Genetics Research

Information to be added here when available.