Prof Timothy Barrett

Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences; Leonard Parsons Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health Director, Centre for Rare Disease Studies; Service lead for the NHS England national specialist MDT service for Wolfram syndrome (children and adults)

He is trained as a paediatric endocrinologist and diabetologist, and has an honorary contract with Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

He heads a research team at University of Birmingham, investigating mechanisms of disease and treatments for Wolfram syndrome.

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/cancer-genomic/barrett-timothy.aspx

Dr Renuka Dias BMedSci MBBS MRCPCH PhD

Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist and WS Clinic Lead

Renuka Dias is a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist working at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital. She is the Clinical Lead for Diabetes and Obesity at BWCH and co-leads the National Highly Specialised Service for Wolfram Syndrome (Children) in Birmingham.

She has particular clinical and research interests in disordered growth and metabolism including Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Thyroid dysfunction.

Professor Rajat Gupta

Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Professor Gupta graduated from Manchester Medical School and completed his National Grid training in Paediatric Neurology in the Mersey Deanery.  He was appointed Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in October 2004.  He leads the Paediatric Neurorehabilitation Service at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  The Neurorehabilitaion Team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital was pleased to be announced the winner of the Hospital Team Award of The Child Brain Injury Trust Diamond Awards this year (2022).

In addition to neurorehabilitation, Professor Gupta’s areas of special interest include epilepsy, cerebral palsy, headache, neuro-ophthalmology and the neurological complications of Wolfram Syndrome.  He has conducted research, published and presented on these topics.

He is a medical advisor for a number of charities – Corpal, Wolfram Syndrome UK, PANS PANDAS UK, and EXPAND.

Professor Gupta is also passionate about medical education and training and is a faculty member of numerous courses.  He is the Head of The Specialist Clinical Teaching Academy for The University of Birmingham Medical School and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  He is Deputy Lead for Paediatrics for The University of Birmingham Medical School and is the Medical Director for the Independent Pharmacy Prescriber Course at Aston University.

He is the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for the Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment at Aston University and was appointed Honorary Professor of Paediatric Neurology at Aston University in 2011.  He was appointed Honorary Professor at The University of Birmingham in December 2021. He is a Regional Co-Lead and an Area Officer for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and is a Deputy Chair for the Medical Academic Staff Committee of The British Medical Association.

Professor Gupta has considerable experience as a paediatric neurology medical expert in medical negligence cases.

Ms Elmarie Van Der Mere

Locum Consultant Paediatric Surgeon – Urology 

Miss Elmarie van der Merwe works as a paediatric urologist at Birmingham Children’s hospital. She has a special interest in children with bowel and bladder problems and has been fundamental in establishing the combined colorectal/urology MDT clinic.

She is involved in the transitional care of urology patients and has a passion for helping young people and adolescents on their journey to independence.

She is involved in the Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) clinic, and together with the adolescent gynaecology services at the Birmingham Women’s hospital, she  looks after  patients with paediatric gynaecological concerns.

Together with Mr Liam McCarthy she looks after the patients with Wolfram syndrome and helps to keep their bladder and kidneys safe.

Mr Liam McCarthy

Consultant Paediatric Urology Surgeon

Liam McCarthy was appointed in 2007 having trained in paediatric surgery in London, and paediatric urology at GOS (where he did a PhD). He is a paediatric urologist and renal transplant surgeon. In addition to general children’s urology his special interests include the management of neuropathic bladder, disorders of sexual differentiation and transplant urology. He has specialist clinics in neuropathic bladder, posterior urethral valves and is involved in several MDTs including renal transplantation, DSD, Wolfram syndrome.

He is heavily involved in the national training schemes for paediatric surgeons and on the executive committee for the British Association of Paediatric Urology.

Susan Gleeson

Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Wolfram Specialist Nurse

I am a Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse and Wolfram Specialist nurse based at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. My role in the Wolfram Syndrome clinic involves supporting and educating children, young people and their families so that they achieve confidence and skills to understand and manage their condition.

I work as part of a multidisciplinary team providing expertise and education for all health professionals involved in the care of the child, young person with Wolfram Syndrome.

As well as this advice and education, if needed I will liaise with schools and colleges to give staff the information around Wolfram Syndrome so that the staff have the knowledge base to assist the student achieve their full potential.

Sam Gurney

Ophthalmologist

Mrs Archana Kulkarni

Ophthalmologist

Archana Kulkarni is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at South Warwickshire NHS Trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital since 2014.

Mrs Kulkarni completed her graduation and masters in Ophthalmology from Pune University, India, followed by ophthalmology training in the West Midlands and paediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and a combined paediatric ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

She leads the paediatric ophthalmology and adult ocular motility service at Warwick Hospital.  At Birmingham Children’s Hospital, she contributes to the rare diabetes service.

Archana has an active research interest with several contributions to scientific publications. She has an interest in childhood visual impairment and has founded the Warwickshire I-Sight Support (WISS) group to integrate support for children and young adults with visual impairment and also is actively involved with similar international projects.

Dr Rebecca Igbabwe

Geneticist

Dr Mandip Dosanjh

Psychology

Marie McGee

Transition Care Co-ordinator

I am the Transition Care Co-ordinator for the Rare Diabetes Team at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Trust. I am one of a few in the UK who has been specifically appointed to develop transitional care for children and young people with long term health conditions. I support young people to manage key change points in their life like moving from primary to secondary school, taking options in Y9 or moving into adult health services. I also work with them to develop skills and knowledge to manage their health, well-being, and lifestyle

Talia Treen

Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) for BCH

Provides services and support to patients with sight loss whether recently diagnosed or ongoing. ECLO’s are a vital member to the Eye Department and can provide practical and emotional support as well as Information, Advice and Guidance on daily living skills, benefits, employment, education, socialising and remaining independent.

Georgina King

Family Support Co-Ordinator

As the Family Support Coordinator, I work in partnership with BWCH to support children and young people with Wolfram Syndrome. My role will include attending and supporting families with the WS MDT clinics based at Waterfall House. I will support families and advocate for them to ensure they feel fully supported during their life journey through childhood and adolescence.

Contact details during office hours:

Email – georginaking@wolframsyndrome.co.uk

Phone – 07592 629813

Olivia Edwards

Family Support Co-Ordinator

As the Family Support Coordinator, I work alongside Georgina and in partnership with BWCH to support children and young people with Wolfram Syndrome. My role will include attending and supporting families with the WS MDT clinics based at Waterfall House. I will support families and advocate for them to ensure they feel fully supported during their life journey through childhood and adolescence.

Contact details during office hours:

Email – oliviaedwards@wolframsyndrome.co.uk

Phone – 07756 778454