Leading GOSH neurologist wins HSJ EU staff award

25 Nov 2016, 2:22 p.m.

Francesco Muntoni in lab

Leading Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) clinician and pioneering researcher, Professor Francesco Muntoni, has won an EU staff award at the prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards last night.

Professor Muntoni is one of the first ever recipients of this special award, launched by HSJ this year to celebrate the contribution to the NHS by staff from elsewhere in the EU.

Consultant paediatric neurologist Professor Muntoni has been a leading light at Great Ormond Street Hospital and an asset to the NHS for over twenty years, developing pioneering new treatments and care for children with very complex and debilitating conditions.

Professor Muntoni is the Director of the Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a world-leading specialist clinical and research institution for children affected by neuromuscular disorders.

He balances the priorities of this nationally commissioned, highly specialised service for congenital muscular dystrophy with a very large specialist paediatric neuromuscular practice and an extensive research programme in genetic and experimental medicine of paediatric neuromuscular diseases.

Most recently, the prospect of widespread access to a life-changing drug for Duchenne Muscular dystrophy took a step closer after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for a new medication developed by a team led by Professor Muntoni. The process of approval in the EU is underway.

Professor Francesco Muntoni said: “I am delighted to win this award. It is a great privilege to work at Great Ormond Street Hospital with such a wonderful team in a cutting edge environment. Without the research and clinical teams this would not have been possible.”

Dr Peter Steer, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Francesco is passionate about driving global research collaborations, as well as seeking out  opportunities to improve the lives of children affected by complex diseases. We are delighted the award panel have recognised his fantastic clinical leadership and critical role in spearheading landmark research breakthroughs.”