BrAMS.ORG.UK

Professor Neil Scolding	Profile Details
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Bristol.	Neil Scolding moved to Bristol in 1999 and began then to establish the current MS team at Frenchay. He has been involved in multiple sclerosis research and treatment for some twenty years. Much of his current research concentrates on stem cells and MS, and in particular on the development and testing of bone marrow derived stem cell therapies for patients with MS. The first clinical trial of this form of therapy is currently nearing completion at Frenchay. Professor Scolding serves on the Executive Committee of ECTRIMS - the European Consortium for Treatment and Research in MS - and is a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Multiple Scerosis and a number of other neurological journals.
Dr David Cottrell	Profile Details
Consultant Neurologist and Senior Clinical Lecturer	Dr Cottrell moved to Bristol in 2005 as an NHS consultant appointment to join the expanding clinical and research MS team at Frenchay. He runs both general neurology and MS clinics at Frenchay hospital and established the recent MS relapse clinic. He was awarded his BSc (Hons) in pharmacology in 1991 and his medical degree in 1994 from Edinburgh University. He recieved his Neurology training at both Newcastle Upon Tyne and London, Ontario, Canada. He was awarded a PhD in mitochondrial genetics in 2001 from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and has published widely in the fields of Multiple Sclerosis, Mitochondrial genetics, Ageing, and Alzheimer's disease. Dr Cottrell now specialises in Multiple Sclerosis and has a particular interest in primary progressive MS. He is the principal investigator and local principal investigator for several MS treatment trials. He helped co-found the BrAMS charity in 2007 with the aim of improving MS patient care and research in the Bristol and Avon region.
Dr Alastair Wilkins	Profile Details
Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Neurology	Dr Wilkins moved to Bristol in 2007, having trained in neurology in Cambridge and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London. His PhD was with Prof Alastair Compston, University of Cambridge and concerned mechanisms of nerve fibre degeneration in multiple sclerosis. He has done post-doctoral research at the University of Cambridge and University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Dr Wilkins is currently Senior Lecturer in Neurology, University of Bristol and Consultant Neurologist to Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals, Bristol. His current research focuses on understanding mechanisms of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis and investigating potential new therapies, including growth factors, drugs and stem cell therapies. His research is based in the newly refurbished MS labs in the Burden Institute at Frenchay.
Dr Jonathan Witherick	Profile Details
Registrar	Details to follow.
Dr Kirsty Inglis	Profile Details
General Practitioner	I started working at the BrAMS unit in April 2010 having previously worked as a General Practitioner for the last 9 years. I have always had a particular interest in Neurology and see this new post (the first of it’s kind in the UK) as an opportunity to expand this interest. The funding for this post was established via a grant obtained by the MS consultants working at BrAMS. With the ever increasing numbers of patients being seen at the unit my role involves reviewing MS patients in the out-patient clinics alongside Dr Cottrell as well as seeing acute relapse patients. I am involved in the many international clinical trials being carried out at the unit. I am also in the process of helping to apply for funding for a new MS research project involving patients with severe spasticity. I am undertaking audit projects within the BrAMS unit. I help to medically support the MS nursing staff. I have also recently helped to establish the Newly Diagnosed MS Service.
Kate Golding	Profile Details
MS Specialist Nurse	I have worked for NBT since 1994 as Healthcare Assistant, trained in 1999 and qualified as registered nurse in 2002. I have remained in Neurosciences throughout this time, caring for people with a wide range of neurological diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis. Took job as MS specialist nurse in October 2007 which has enabled me to focus my skills and broaden my knowledge in one specific area and hopefully be able to provide comprehensive, holistic and evidenced based support and care to my patients.
Carole Copestake	Profile Details
MS Specialist Nurse	I have worked in Neurology since 1997; I was then employed as an MS Research Nurse working on several clinical trials. I was appointed the first MS Specialist Nurse in Bristol December 2000. Initially this was a part time post to see patients who were newly diagnosed only. In 2002 I became a full time MS Nurse and was able to see patients at any stage of their MS. Taking up the post of a full time MS Nurse enabled me to provide therapeutic and practical support to people with MS, their families and carers at the time they needed it most. This comprehensive and holistic way of working continues to provide an evolving need of people with MS and their families.
Denise Owen	Profile Details
Senior Nurse in MS care & Research	I qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1988 and have been working in the Neurology field since 1992, initially as a Ward sister on a rehabilitation unit for people with neurological conditions. In 2003 an opportunity to specialise as a MS Specialist nurse arose and I joined the Frenchay Neurology team. My reason to take this role was that I wanted to be able to support people with this condition from diagnosis and help them steer through what can be seen at times as a very complex health system. I am very committed to ensuring that the standard of care for people with MS is as high as possible. With the opening of BrAMS came an opportunity for promotion and in 2009 I was promoted to my current role as Senior MS Nurse in MS care & Research. The promotion means that as well as ensuring the smooth running of the BrAMs unit, I oversee the high standards of care that is delivered by the 3 MS Specialist nurses, Carole, Kate & Gemma and i take some of the responsibility, alongside the Medical Team, for ensuring that the Clinical Trials we are facilitating are delivered effectively and of a high standard of care to the participants.
Gemma Watkins	Profile Details
MS Specialist Nurse	Gemma joined the BrAMS team 3 years ago at the time when Denise Owen was promoted. She works full-time and is an integral part of the team. Gemma works alongside our 2 other MS Specialist Nurses at the unit running the nurse led clinics, offering telephone clinics, is involved in clinical trials, performs disease modifying therapy monitoring, and drug infusions. Gemma has helped to set up the Newly Diagnosed Service at BrAMS.
Tania Burge	Profile Details
Physiotherapist	Tania Burge joined the BrAMS team in early 2010. Her job is funded by the BrAMS charity. She assesses MS patients in her own clinics and when appropriate contributing to the “one stop shop” multidisciplinary team. She also acts as a liaison between the BrAMS unit and community physiotherapy teams. Tania has set up the joint orthotics clinic along with Simon Massey (orthotist). This clinic is run on a monthly basis.
Shaun McCarthy	Profile Details
Fund Raising Manager	Shaun McCarthy has had MS for 26 years and have been involved in fund-raising for MS for 18 years. He have organised many fund-raising events, running, swimming, auctions, raffles and helps others who fundraise for BrAMS others. Although sometimes hard work, organising and taking part is great fun and can give a great feeling of satisfaction. I also contact companies and grant making trusts, asking for grants or donations. I have received help from many people who come to BrAMS and this really helps. for more info about helping to fund-raise, please contact shaun shaun.mccarthy@brams.org.uk, or tel 0117 340 6490.