Muscle Disease Unit - Salford Royal

We provide expert multi-disciplinary specialist opinions and treatments for adults with:

• Muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies
• Myotonic dystrophy
• Inflammatory muscle diseases (e.g. Inclusion body myositis)
• Metabolic myopathies (e.g. McArdle disease, Pompe disease – includes enzyme replacement service)
• Spinal muscular atrophy (including delivery of Nusinersen and Risdiplam via the NHS England Managed Access Agreement)
• Mitochondrial disorders
• Complex and undiagnosed muscle disorders
• Patients transitioning from paediatric to adult care

These services are often offered in collaboration with other specialists (e.g. respiratory medicine, metabolic medicine, or rheumatology).

Patients attending the muscle service will receive an expert opinion and their condition. Neurophysiology (NCS/EMG) can sometimes be performed on the same day if required. Further investigations will be arranged as necessary, and ongoing management of your condition will be discussed.

We generally take referrals from other specialists, especially those in general neurology, clinical genetics, and rheumatology.

The usual referral pathways should be used. In some instances, direct referral from the GP can be accepted via the electronic GP referral system.

Special funding arrangements may be required for those living outside of Greater Manchester.

In other instances, referrals can be sent to admincentrereferralssco@nca.nhs.uk

After the patient has been referred then you can contact 0161 206 4100 for updates about waiting times.

For patients already known to the MDU service already, you can contact our specialist nurse and care advisor via: mdu@nca.nhs.uk.

The consultant secretary for Prof. Roberts, Dr Lilleker and Dr Snedden is Nichelle Hookway (0161 206 2010, Nichelle.hookway@nca.nhs.uk)

For questions about referrals please see information above under “Referral Information”. For anything related to referrals please only email admincentrereferralssco@nca.nhs.uk or call 0161 206 4100.

We are an active research centre and have recently formed the Manchester Neuromuscular Research Group. We are also key members of the Manchester Myositis Research Group.

The Muscle Disease Unit includes a broad complement of experienced neurologists, specialist nurses, and other colleagues working both at Salford and at other centres across the North West:

• Neurologists (Prof. Mark Roberts, Dr James Lilleker, Dr Andrew Snedden)
• Nurse Specialist and Care Advisor (Phill Kelly)
• Neurophysiologists (Dr Ronan Macdonagh, Dr Ranjit Ramdasss)
• Neuropathologists (Prof. Federico Roncaroli, Dr Daniel DuPlessis)
• Metabolic medicine (Dr Reena Sharma, Dr Ana Jovanovic, Dr Georgetta Fanea)
• Rheumatologists (Prof. Hector Chinoy – joint myositis clinic with Dr James Lilleker)
• Paediatricians at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (Lead: Dr Gary McCullagh)
• Respiratory medicine and the Long-Term Ventilation Service at University Hospital of South Manchester (Lead: Prof. Andrew Bentley)
• Geneticists at St. Marys Hospital (Dr Catherine Breen, Dr Audrey Smith)

We have collaborative links with other neuromuscular centres, both in the UK (particularly in Newcastle and London) and internationally. We are active members of the North West Adult and Paediatric Neuromuscular Network.