A to Z of services

Service Overview

Croydon University Hospital Neurology Department provides a comprehensive service to patients with a neurological problem in the region.  We have worked with the CCG to build a unit that puts patients in the centre of care and aims to deliver care when and where it is needed.  We work within South west London region with strong links with our regional neuroscience centre at St George’s Hospital to provide this care.  The shift in emphasis to providing care closer to home, has resulted in a strong network in the region to provide this.

We have focussed on developing 2 priorities to improve neurological care:

• Acute Neurology - we aim to provide a rapid service for everyone who is admitted and may have a major acute neurological illness requiring our input. We have published our pioneering work over the last few years (Nitkunan et al Clin Med 2017; Boodhoo et al, BJNN 2018).
• To provide specialist services for the three key neurological diagnoses – epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Multiple sclerosis.

Our Team

Dr Francesca Mastrolilli, Consultant Neurologist

Dr Waqar Rashid, Consultant Neurologist

Dr Bridget MacDonald, Consultant Neurologist

Dr Arani Nitkunan, Consultant Neurologist (Clinical Lead)

Dr Fred Schon, Consultant Neurologist

Dr Zuhair Noori Consultant in Neuro-Rehabilitation

Ajay Boodhoo   Neurology Nurse Specialist

Creselda Bagtas  Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Specialist

Charmaine Grant     Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist

Glenda Lastrilla        Epilepsy Nurse Specialist

Medina Southam   Epilepsy Nurse Specialist

We provide

• 5 days a week inpatient neurology input to wards/AMU
• General neurology clinics
• Regular epilepsy (including first fit clinics – see form), Parkinson’s and MS clinics
• Nurse-led headache clinics (see Headache Pathway and form below)
• Elective lumbar puncture clinic

Our nurses are a point of contact for patients and medical professionals with epilepsy / multiple sclerosis / Parkinson’s and have face to face as well as phone / virtual appointments.  Their key roles are:

1. Provide support and education for patients and carers with a new or established diagnosis of epilepsy / multiple sclerosis / Parkinson’s. They enable patients to feel more empowered to manage their condition.
2. Develop a personalised care plan with patients and coordinate with the multidisciplinary team where necessary.
3. Provide inpatient neurological support where needed for patients admitted with these neurological conditions to help support discharge. Inpatients who need tertiary hospital support are transferred under the care of the Croydon consultants to St George’s Hospital.
4. Telephone advice lines (see below) for patients to provide support for their conditions with issues such as medication or their management.

Contact details

This service's contact details for patients and for GP referrals are:

Tel: 020 8401 3973

Hours of contact: 9am to 5pm

Email:   CH-TR.neurologyandec@nhs.net

Nurse Advice Lines (voice mail service for non-emergency queries; aim to return call within a couple of working days:

Epilepsy Nurse: 020 8401 3851

Parkinson’s Nurse: 020 8401 3340

Multiple sclerosis Nurse:020 8401 3902