Atypical Parkinsonian and Ataxia syndromes service

We can give you a specialist opinion and support if you've been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), Ataxia and other similar conditions.

Our clinic team includes two consultant neurologists, Dr Ghosh and Dr Massey, who have both carried out extensive research into these conditions.

We work closely with the MSA Trust, the PSP Association, dieticians, community therapy teams, Parkinson’s disease specialist nurses, speech and language therapists and palliative care teams, and encourage them to join us in the clinic when they can.

If you've been diagnosed with PSP or CBS, you might find it useful to attend a local support group, organised by the PSP Association. To contact the Hampshire group please email Louisa Roberts-West, or for the Dorset group email John Kavanagh.

Clinic times

Clinics are usually held on the second and fourth Friday of each month, at the Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton. We see patients from Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset, and occasionally people from further afield. Blue badge parking spaces are available near the hospital entrance.

Research

We can give you the opportunity to take part in research if you'd like to. We are usually involved in a combination of drug studies and grant based research looking for causes of the diseases or investigating factors that may make people lives easier. For people we have seen in the service we are also able to accept brain donations to help understand the disease and try to improve diagnosis.

We're currently taking part in the PROSPECT study (find out more from the MSA Trust and the PSP Association) as well as other research programmes.

If you're interested in taking part in research, please contact Srikanth Anugu, clinical trials assistant, via srikanth.anugu@uhs.nhs.uk or call 023 812 0632.

APS equipment library

Through charity funding, we've been able to buy some equipment for patients to try or borrow for short periods of time, before getting the equipment themselves or from the local authority. We have three U-step walking frames and a laser cane walking stick for patients with tremors. Thanks to patients who have donated to our service, Smile for Wessex and the Southampton Hospital Charity for helping to fund these pieces of equipment. Please contact Jade Donnelly for more information (details below).

The APS charity fund

Charity donations help to maintain and expand our equipment library, and to fund research and further development of our APS service. If you would like to donate please contact the Southampton hospital charity on 023 8120 8881, and give reference 0377.