Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital

Dr Tracey Willis is a Paediatric Neurologist with an interest in neuromuscular diseases. She completed her paediatric neurology training in Birmingham, UK and then worked as a Paediatric Neurologist in Birmingham, UK and Auckland, New Zealand. In 2008, she became the Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) Clinical Research Fellow at the Institute of Genetic Medicine in Newcastle with Professor Straub and Professor Kate Bushby, and obtained her doctorate which involved coordinating a multicentre MRI/MRS study in LGMD2I and designing and implementing the FKRP International Patient Registry. During this time, she also coordinated a national DBS audit, which has contributed to a larger European DBS audit in diagnosing LOPD.

She is currently the Clinical Lead for the Muscle service at Oswestry, a tertiary referral centre for patients with neuromuscular conditions, both paediatric and adults, and this has recently been awarded 'Centre of Excellence' status by MDUK. She also works at Birmingham Children's Hospital, running the neuromuscular service. Clinically, she is involved in the diagnosis and care of a broad spectrum of patients with neuromuscular diseases. 

She continues an active interest in research; recently receiving a grant for an FSHD exercise study, and collaborates with many colleagues both in the UK and aboard in various projects, advisory panels and working groups. She is the Medical Monitor for FOR-DMD, an international steroid trial in DMD, and is on the Steering Committee for the FSHD International Registry

I qualified from Keele University in 2005 with a first in Physiotherapy.  I started working at the Neuromuscular Centre in Winsford, treating and managing adults with NMD.  This involved a range of interventions from stretching programmes, musculoskeletal assessments and treatment through to hydrotherapy and exercise prescription.

In 2009, I started work at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital working alongside Dr Quinlivin as part of the NMD MDT.  This again involved management of adults with NMD but now also paediatric patients. In addition, my role expanded to include being involved in NMD research trials.  I also worked in two further departments:

1. Orthotic Research and Locomotion Assessment Unit (ORLAU), a specialist department assessing abnormal gait and provision of various interventions to improve functional walking.

2. Alice Ward, which involved the treatment and rehabilitation of paediatric patients with a range of conditions - CP, NMD, chronic pain, CFS etc.

I have also undertaken further study at Keele University obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma (Physio) in 2012.  I have attended a variety of external conferences concerned with the care and management of NMD patients.

I have qualified as a consultant in paediatric neurodisability and neuromuscular disorders and have been working in this position since 2012. I have experience in both paediatrics and adults neuromuscular conditions, allowing me to manage these conditions lifelong from the time of presentation. I am Royal College representative for NICE in neurodisability sub-speciality.

I have experience of working in multicentre drug trials. I am presently performing research at our centre in innovative methods of rehabilitation of untreatable conditions.

Sarah has a scientific background, completing a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science at Cardiff University followed by a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Keele University (based at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital), focusing on potential cell therapy for the degenerate intervertebral disc.  Following some post-doctoral research, Sarah joined The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She now coordinates both sponsored and hosted studies and trials for the Neuromuscular, Paediatric and Foot and Ankle departments.