Neurology - Mark Holland Metabolic Unit

The Mark Holland Metabolic Unit is part of the Northern Care Alliance. The centre is based within Salford Royal Hospital and is a designated specialist service offering treatment and management for adult patients with inherited metabolic disorders.

The unit provides a service for the north of England but also includes patients from other geographical areas including Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The department provides diagnostic services, treatment, management, ongoing care, research and support for patients with rare inherited metabolic diseases.

The Clinical team consists of metabolic consultants, metabolic specialist dietitians, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, healthcare assistants and an admin support team.

There is also a clinical research team, offering access to available clinical research trials.

Outpatient Appointments

All patients are routinely seen in the outpatient clinic for their metabolic condition. All unrelated clinical and medical concerns should be managed by your GP or another specialist service.

Our outpatient clinics are held in several areas of the hospital. Please check your letter carefully, as the location may vary between appointments. We also offer virtual appointments which include telephone consultations and video calls. This can be discussed with your consultant.

Upon arrival at your clinic appointment, you will have your height, weight and blood pressure checked by one of our healthcare assistants. Other assessments might be performed but these will be explained to you. Your appointment may be conducted with the consultant and/or another member of the healthcare team including an advanced clinical practitioner, physiotherapist, nurse, or dietitian.

A blood and urine sample may be required during your clinical appointment. You may also be required to have some other tests carried out on the same day e.g., x-ray or ECG. Many of these are specialised tests which are complex and costly to arrange and have long waiting lists. We would, therfore, appreciate it if you could cancel any appointments that you cannot attend with at least 4-weeks' notice if possible so these can be used for other patients.
 
Please inform us if you are unable to attend, as missed appointments may result in discharge from our service. We are unable to provide a safe level of care if we have not reviewed you in clinic on at least an annual basis.

If you have any questions about our outpatient services, then please do not hesitate to contact the office during our working hours which are Monday-Friday - 8am till 4pm on on 0161 206 4365.

Joint Clinics

The Metabolic department works closely with many other specialities due to the complexity of some of our patients. We run joint clinics, with nephrology, cardiology, neurology, rheumatology, pain and endocrinology which are usually held every three months.

You may be asked to attend one of these clinics if your consultant feels that you need the expertise required by another speciality.

Metabolic Helpline

The department operates a helpline for queries and advice relating to your metabolic disorder that you may require during the period between your clinical appointments for queries related to your metabolic condition only.

This is a voicemail system, that you can leave a message on and a member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) will respond to messages during the hours of 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Telephone 0161 206 1899
Alternatively, you can email:
Email: MHMU@nca.nhs.uk

The query may take a few working days to get back to you. Please be aware that helpline service does not operate on bank holidays or weekends and is not for any urgent or emergency care.

When leaving a message please clearly state your name, contact number, hospital or NHS number (if you know this) and then the query that you have.

If your problems are not related to your metabolic condition, then please contact your GP.

We look forward to seeing you soon.