A CONGRESBURY man who receives care for a neuromuscular disorder has congratulated North Bristol NHS Trust for receiving the prestigious Centre of Excellence award.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) were both given the awards from leading national charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Both the NBT and UHBW were said to have provided outstanding care to their patients living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

24 neuromuscular centres across the UK were recognised. This includes the centres at Southmead Hospital which is run by NBT and hosts the adult service, and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children run by UHBW.

Both the adult service at NBT and the paediatric service at UHBW form part of the South West Neuromuscular Operational Delivery Network (SWNODN). 

Malcolm Reid, 66, from Congresbury, attends clinics at NBT following his Myotonia Congenita diagnosis.

Malcolm said: “Hearty congratulations on your Centre of Excellence award which is richly deserved for a dedicated and caring team who provide exceptional patient care.”

Dr Andria Merrison, MA MD FRCP consultant neurologist, Director of the South West Neuromuscular Network at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “It is a great privilege for North Bristol NHS Trust, as a centre for the South West Neuromuscular Network, to be awarded a Muscular Dystrophy UK Centre of Excellence award for the centre’s role in providing care, support and education for people living with Neuromuscular conditions and their carers/families living in the South West."

Maria Kane, CEO, North Bristol NHS Trust, added: “I’m incredibly proud that our neuromuscular centre has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by Muscular Dystrophy UK.

“The award speaks to the dedication of our staff to provide this vital support and the best possible care for those living with muscle wasting or weakening conditions.”

Dr Anirban Majumdar, consultant paediatric neurologist at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is a real honour to receive the Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Centre of Excellence Award (for the third time) in recognition of the ongoing care and support that south-west neuromuscular operational delivery network provides to our patients in Bristol and the south-west of the United Kingdom."

Professor Stuart Walker, interim chief executive officer at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted the exceptional support and care my colleagues are providing to young people who have muscular dystrophy is being recognised.”

Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, concluded: “We would like to congratulate NBT and UHBW who have been recognised with a Centre of Excellence award after a robust and rigorous assessment of their service by leading neuromuscular experts and members of the muscle wasting and weakening community.

"Despite continuing pressures and challenges within the NHS, these centres strive every day to ensure they promote best practice and provide an exemplary service."