A modern multi-disciplinary craniofacial care facility was officially opened recently at the Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The centre was opened by the Rt Hon Frank Dobson

The Eastman Craniofacial Centre provides continuity of care for children with craniofacial deformities once they have reached 16 years of age through their transfer from Great Ormond Street Hospital, and other units, to the new out-patient centre at the Eastman Dental Hospital.

In-patient treatment is provided in the state-of-the-art facilities offered by the new UCL hospital, where Europe's largest adolescent unit is also available to facilitate the transition from children's to adult services.

The centre, which brings together the specialist expertise of eight different disciplines from across three different Trusts, will provide first class patient care in addition to specialist training and research into craniofacial deformity.

Professor Nigel Hunt, Chairman of the Division of Craniofacial and Developmental Sciences and Clinical Lead said, “We have been pushing for this facility for almost ten years and it is a very welcome development at a time of severe financial pressures”.

The Consultant-led craniofacial team includes Oral and Maxillofacial surgery (Mr Tim Lloyd), Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery (Mr David Dunaway), ENT surgery (Mr Charles East), Neurosurgery (Ms Joan Grieve), Anaesthetics (Dr Viki Mitchell), Liaison Psychiatry (Dr Justin Shute), Orthodontics (Professor Nigel Hunt, Mr Rob Evans and Mr Daljit Gill) and Restorative dentistry (Ms Gwen Benny-Wilson).

The Rt Hon Frank Dobson (MP for Holborn & St Pancras), who officially opened the facility, commented how valuable the centre was as it harnessed the expertise of individual specialists with first class reputations for excellence in their own fields into a cohesive team which can only be for the improved overall benefit of the patient.

More information can be found about this service by visiting 'Craniofacial Services' at www.uclh.nhs.uk.