Sheffield team scoops International award for care of Motor Neurone Disease patients

The photo shows from left to right, Consultant Neurologist, Dr Thomas Jenkins and Specialist Registrars, Dr Mahjabin Islam and Dr Ahmed Mubarak-Mohamed at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A talented Sheffield hospitals team is celebrating after their expertise was hailed as internationally important in one of the most challenging areas of medicine.

Dr Mahjabin Islam, Specialist Registrar at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and her team have received one of the most prestigious awards in the neurology field - recognising their pioneering ideas for service improvement for patients with Motor Neurone Disease

Dr Islam’s team were awarded the winners of the 2021 QI Innovation Award from the American Academy of Neurology.

They received the award for their innovative ‘Pick, Tick, and Click’ method which aims to simplify the intricate process of managing MND patient’s needs and improve the quality of care and support individuals receive.

Specialist Registrar and lead for the project, Dr Mahjabin Islam

Motor Neurone Disease is a neurological condition which is still in search of a cure, therefore symptomatic management is crucial to support with patient’s breathing, feeding, nutrition, mobility and psychological aspects.

Assigning specialists to each patient and providing easy to access information and support materials for patients has seen a significant improvement in patients managing their condition.

Dr Mahjabin Islam, lead for the project, said: “I feel incredibly honoured to receive the 2021 QI Innovation award in recognition of our work to provide accessible, compassionate care for patients living with Motor Neurone Disease. In the Sheffield Motor Neurone Disease Centre, we tailor our service based on national guidelines, evidence, and patient feedback and aim to continuously improve the quality of care for our patients.”

The Patient Services Awards were created by the American Academy of Neurology to recognise individuals dedicated to improving the lives of patients through advocacy, quality improvement, or service. Dr Islam and her team will have the opportunity to present their work in America once restrictions due to COVID-19 have eased.

This project was supervised by Consultant Neurologists, Dr Thomas Jenkins and Professor McDermott. Other members involved in the project were Specialist Registrar, Dr Ahmed Mubarak Mohamed, MND Nurse, Theresa Walsh and Clinical Admin Co-ordinator, Annette Taylor.