Pictured left to right are Professor Caroline Gordon in consultation with Lupus patient Lynne Hughes.
CITY HOSPITAL LUPUS CLINIC CONFIRMED CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
The Lupus unit at City Hospital has been confirmed as a centre of excellence by national charity Lupus UK.
Vice Chair and Trustee Yvonne Norton MBE commented: “The facility at City Hospital continues to fulfil all the criteria required to remain a Lupus UK Centre of Excellence. I am impressed with the relationship between City Hospital Lupus Unit and the Renal Lupus Clinic at the Queen Elisabeth Hospital. You have an arrangement which many Lupus Centres would aim to replicate.
“I continue to be most impressed by the work taking place to help Lupus patients at City Hospital and by the caring attitude shown by all members of the lupus team.”
Lupus is a debilitating disorder of the immune system known as an autoimmune disease. Patients with lupus typically experience their immune system turning against parts of the body it is designed to protect, leading to inflammation and damage to various body tissues. Currently there is no cure for lupus, however effective treatments can ensure people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives.
Patient Lynne Hughes from Yardley transferred from the QE to City Hospital 12 months ago. She explained: “I moved over to City Hospital to continue my care under Professor Caroline Gordon, as she is the consultant who saw me through my pregnancy nearly 19 years ago. I have had lupus for 30 years, and was only 15 when I started experiencing symptoms.
“The staff at City Hospital are really good as they will always get me an appointment as soon as possible if I have a flare up. I totally agree it is a centre of excellence.”
The unit was first named a UK centre of excellence in October 2005, and Professor Gordon who runs the service at City Hospital recalls the excitement that generated for staff. She said: “Patient safety is our number one priority, and all our staff are delighted to be recognised as working for a centre of excellence. We are proud to provide both an excellent clinical service and active research unit, aiming to improve outcomes of the disease.
“Our patients always come first and with lupus being a lifetime condition, we are able to form lasting relationships with our patients as we see them through the highs and lows of their symptoms, and work with them to continue the research that we hope someday will offer a cure for the disorder.”
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