Prestigious centre of excellence award presented to Norfolk Hospital

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has earnt the prestigious Paget’s Association centre of excellence title. The only hospital within the Eastern Region to obtain the accolade, the hospital has become one of only 10 award centres in the country.

Sheila Nursey, from Norwich, suffered much pain and disability before learning that she had Paget’s Disease of Bone. Paget’s Disease is characterised by excessive breakdown and formation of bone, resulting in weakened bones that can lead to pain, severe deformity, deafness, fractures, and in rare cases bone cancer.

Sheila explains her situation, “I fell several times whilst waiting for a hip replacement. One fall resulted in my having a scan. It showed Paget’s Disease. I’d never heard of it and no one seemed to want to explain – but perhaps it was because they couldn’t! Months later I discovered the Paget’s Association, a charity supporting patients with the condition. Through them I found Professor Bill Fraser whom I consulted at the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital (NNUH). As soon as I saw him sat at his desk, I knew here was somebody who would understand my pain and help me. Following assessment, he prescribed treatment and I was so much better – like a 25 year old instead of my 90 years. I will be eternally grateful to the Paget’s Association and to the Professor for his care and expertise.”

There are potentially many older people in East Anglia who have Paget’s Disease and remain undiagnosed, and some may have been told that there is nothing that can be done other than take pain-killers. The truth is they need to be referred to specialists with skill in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Paget’s disease was first described by Sir James Paget, an eminent Surgeon and Pathologist, who was born in Great Yarmouth in 1814. His name is also commemorated in the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.

The Paget’s Association has introduced an award to recognise hospital and university departments which demonstrate excellence, in both the treatment of Paget’s Disease, and research into the condition. The NNUH was officially recognised for its expertise and the Association presented Professor Fraser, Professor Jeremy Turner and Dr Tarnya Marshall with the prestigious Paget’s Centre of Excellence award.

Professor William D Fraser, Professor of Medicine said: “We are delighted to receive the accolade of the award of Paget’s Association centre of excellence in Norwich. This is a significant marker of the quality of the multidisciplinary clinical service that we are able to offer patients with Paget’s disease of the bone here at the NNUH. Along with my colleagues Dr Tarnya Marshal and Professor Jeremy Turner I am pleased that patients in the East of England with Paget’s disease of the bone can come to the NNUH and receive care which has been externally peer reviewed and judged to be of an excellent standard.”

Mark Davies, NNUH Chief Executive added: “We are incredibly proud of both our department and the state of the art care they are able to provide the people of Norfolk. We are pleased to be able to offer such a comprehensive and unique service to the people of East Anglia.”

Left to right: Professor Roger Francis, Chairman of the Paget’s Association,Dr Tarnya Marshall, Professor Jeremy Turner and Professor William Turner