London Bridge Hospital MS Services and Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
London’s leading consultants in the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Appointments & Enquiries
020 7089 2017
Imaging Appointments
020 7234 2773
Multiple Sclerosis services at London Bridge Hospital
London Bridge Hospital hosts the UK’s leading consultants in the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS): a disease where the immune cells attack the nervous system. MS is a dynamic disease requiring neurologists and haematologists for HSCT with a special interest in this complex, dynamic condition.
With over 100,000 people in the UK suffering from MS, and diversifying treatment options, services are increasingly specialised with new pathways being developed in the UK. London Bridge Hospital is a centre for MS – with the ability to diagnose and direct patients to the very latest treatments – among them, Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. This intensive therapy can reboot the immune system in 70 to 80% of patients, halting progression and leading to remission of the disease.
With AHSCT we’re almost at a tipping point where in the next five years we would probably be able to confidently say that no patient with MS should end up in a wheelchair – and I think that is a game changer – no other treatment to date has been shown to do that.
Dr Majid Kazmi, Consultant Haematologist
MS diagnosis at London Bridge Hospital
Typical investigations used in the diagnosis and assessment of a person who may have MS are:
- Blood tests to rule out other conditions
- MRI which can reveal MS brain or spinal cord lesions
- Lumbar puncture to reveal abnormal antibodies
- Evoked potential tests measuring nervous system electrical activity
Dr Ben Turner and Dr Eli Silber, see patients at our outpatient locations where all tests can be performed safely and promptly. At London Bridge Hospital patients have the specialist care required during diagnosis and when necessary on-going management. Once diagnosis is confirmed they can remain under the care of London Bridge Hospital consultants or have dual care between the private sector and the NHS.
Progress in the treatment of MS
Disease Modifying Therapies
These new therapies are known as Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs), and whilst none claim to be a cure for MS, the right drug in the right person can stabilise the disease. DMT’s offer promising new treatment options, but patient eligibility and loss of response/progression can be an issue. Treatment options will depend on the type and stage of MS.
Our consultants are able to offer the most appropriate treatment for each patient. This may range from simple lifestyle and dietary advice to regular infusions and Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) or HSCT – all of which can be performed in the world-class environment of London Bridge Hospital.
Consultant neurologists and haematologists specialising in MS and HSCT
Halting the progression of MS by Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
AHSCT (or HSCT) for patients with MS offers the most exciting treatment yet for those in whom first line drug therapies have not worked: a major advance in the fight against this debilitating condition.
This one-off intensive therapy offers a 70% chance of stability, as defined by No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA) criteria, over three years. In the latest MIST trial findings this compared with approximately 30% reaching stability on standard MS therapies. The procedure is rigorous but it is only required once. If successful, after three months, MS is likely to be in remission and patients can become completely anti-MS drug-free which also represents a significant improvement in quality of life.
HSCT at London Bridge Hospital
London Bridge Hospital is ideally placed to offer this state-of-the-art therapy, led by one of the pioneers in HSCT for auto-immune disease in the UK, Dr Majid Kazmi, Consultant Haematologist. Set in our JACIE accredited centre at Private Care at Guy’s – a clinical environment in the comfort of first-class facilities – AHSCT is transforming the lives of patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
During this treatment your stem cells are harvested from your own blood before resetting your immune system and reinfusing your stem cells. This process encourages your immune system to stop attacking itself, and the stem cells to repair the damage that has been done. Patients are supported throughout their stem cell treatment by a specialised MS HSCT team including: consultant neurologists and haematologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and intensive care consultants.
Reema’s story
Hear Reema's story two years post HSCT treatment.
Aftercare following transplantation
Aftercare is managed by our experienced team over the course of months. Following treatment and after leaving hospital, patients are closely monitored through regular consultations, blood tests and scans. These take place at increasing intervals depending on each individual's clinical condition.
Our HSCT Clinical Nurse Specialists will continue to be available to support patients throughout their rehabilitation, and answer even the smallest of questions at any stage during recovery.
How to get referred for HSCT at London Bridge Hospital
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We offer HSCT to Multiple Sclerosis patients who meet the criteria defined by the pan-London multidisciplinary team - a panel comprised of both NHS and private hospital consultants.
If you would like to be considered for HSCT, your consultant neurologist or GP will need to provide us with this key criteria information. This would be reviewed in your first consultation with one of our neurologists specialising in MS and HSCT: either Dr Ben Turner, Dr Richard Nicholas or Dr Eli Silber.
Read more information on HSCT and the criteria for private treatment
Contact us
For patient appointments and enquiries email us or call: