COVID-19 information

Visiting is once again welcomed at The Walton Centre. So that we can safely reintroduce visiting, visits should be pre-booked with an allocated appointment slot. Patients can have two visitors each.

General safety measures remain in place at The Walton Centre - and in our other clinic settings within the community – until further notice. These include temperature checks, the wearing of face coverings and social distancing.

COVID-19 information details

Neuromyelitis optica

Service contact information

Service detail

Neuromyelitis Optica is a rare neurological condition and is characterised by relapses affecting the optic nerves  and spinal cord.

Disability develops with each relapse and can cause visual problems including blindness and paralysis of limbs. It is essential for people with NMO to be treated early to prevent relapses.

NMO clinic at The Walton Centre

The NMO service at The Walton Centre consist of a dedicated multidisciplinary team providing a specialist service for patients with NMO. This includes Dr Anu Jacob, Dr Martin Wilson and consultant neurologists, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist Richard Appleton, nurse specialist for NMO, orthoptist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietician, psychologist and volunteer patient liaison.

The NMO clinic aims to deliver a comprehensive service for patients and includes:

  • Diagnosis and management combining clinical, imaging and laboratory assessment
  • Diagnostic Blood testing (Aqupaorin-4 antibodies)
  • Relapse management including plasma exchange
  • Optimising medication regimes including rituximab
  • Multidisciplinary team assessment
  • Symptom management
  • Lifestyle issues and Health promotion
  • Provides education, information, knowledge and a greater  understanding of NMO
  • Liaison and referral with local services
  • Emotional support

Each individual has the opportunity to be assessed by all the team members regarding their individual symptoms. We are also lucky to have the support of the only charity dedicated to neurological conditions.

You can get further information and plenty of downloadable information on Neuromyelitis Optica by visiting www.nmouk.nhs.uk.

Referral information

You can get an appointment for clinic by having a letter from your GP, a consultant or nurse asking for a clinic appointment.

Anyone with confirmed or suspected NMO can be referred.

Neuromyelitis optica Consultants

Dr Martin Wilson

Dr Wilson is the Divisional Clinical Director for Neurology and former lead clinician for the MS service. He is also CCIO (clinical IT lead) for the Trust.

Dr Saif Huda

Dr Saif Huda completed undergraduate medical training in Liverpool in 2005 and completed neurology specialist training at The Walton Centre in 2017. Between 2012 - 2015 he undertook a DPhil in neuroimmunology at The University of Oxford before completing a post-CCT fellowship in neuromyelitis optica in 2018.  

Dr Huda is the clinical lead for the UK NMOSD highly specialised service. 

Dr Shahd Hamid

Dr Shahd Hamid is a Consultant Neurologist at The Walton Centre. She completed her neurology training and obtained the CCT (Certificates of Completed Training) in neurology. Dr Hamid completed a research fellowship in neuroimmunology and NMOSD. She is an accredited clinical supervisor and Honorary Lecturer at the University of Liverpool.

Page last updated: 01 September 2021

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