An Australian first, one-stop clinic for neuromuscular disorders that is dramatically reducing the number of visits families make to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) was officially launched today.

The Neuromuscular Clinic is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic that brings together RCH specialists from neurology, respiratory, cardiology, orthopaedics, genetic counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, social work, nutrition, nursing and teaching.

Muscular Dystrophy Australia (MDA) has provided funding and support for the clinic, which was launched by the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Children’s Services.

The clinic provides efficient care, saving stress and frustration for families.  Whereas previously neuromuscular patients were required to visit the hospital multiple times for individual specialist appointments, now they’re assessed by all of these specialists in just one afternoon.

For 12 year old George Heard, this means travelling three hours from home in Willaura to the RCH once every three months, rather than every month.  George was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of three.

The clinic has so far benefitted 300 patients with neuromuscular disorders.