Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre confirmed as Centre of Paediatric Clinical and Research Excellence

The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre has been confirmed as a Centre of Paediatric Clinical and Research Excellence by Muscular Dystrophy UK. The centre, based at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH), is one of only ten Centres of Excellence and is the sole Paediatric Centre of Clinical and Research Excellence. This award recognises centres with outstanding levels of specialist care for people living with muscle wasting conditions.

The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre is a leading clinical- and research centre specialising in neuromuscular disorders affecting children. The centre provides clinical assessments, diagnostic services, and advice on treatment and rehabilitation alongside clinical trials and basic research focusing on causes of neuromuscular diseases in childhood and identifying new therapeutic interventions. The status was awarded following a national audit carried out by Muscular Dystrophy UK, aimed at ensuring that high-quality care is provided to patients with muscle-wasting conditions.

Great Ormond Street BRC Theme Lead, Professor Francesco Muntoni, is Head of the Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, and also leads the Novel Therapies for Translation in Childhood Diseases and the Developmental Neuroscience Programme at the ICH. He is co-director of the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at UCL.