The FES service is for people who have:

  • an upper motor neuron neurological disorder
  • difficulty walking due to dropped foot
  • and are 16 or over

We offer assessments for individuals with walking difficulties due to foot drop caused by central nervous system damage. This includes conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and injuries affecting the brain or spinal cord (T12 and above).

A specialist physiotherapist conducts initial assessments in a consultant-led clinic. This includes a comprehensive evaluation of walking, strength, spasticity, and joint range of motion.

While FES is not suitable for everyone, we trial the FES device where appropriate to determine its effectiveness. We also offer advice on physical management plans and alternative devices that may assist with walking.

If a trial of FES in the clinic is successful, we provide appointments for the provision of the device and long-term support. We use Odstock Medical FES equipment.

The FES team works closely with other NHNN rehabilitation services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, the upper limb service, spasticity clinics, and the specialist vocational rehabilitation clinic, to ensure a coordinated treatment approach. We can also refer patients to local community services where appropriate.

Approximately 70% of our caseload have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis but people with many other neurological conditions benefit from treatment, including:

  • Stroke
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Brain tumours
  • Spinal cord injury above T12
  • Hereditary spastic paraparesis
  • Traumatic head injury
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Any other neurological condition or injury that affects the brain or spinal cord above T12

 

FES is not suitable for people with foot drop due to damage in the peripheral nervous system such as:

  • Peripheral nerve lesions 
  • Nerve impingement
  • Neuromuscular diseases
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Spinal Cord Injury below level of T12
  • Any other lower motor neuron condition

Patient contact

Address

FES Service 
Therapy Outpatients [Box 64]
1st Floor Albany Wing
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
London
WC1N 3BG

GP contact

Referral

Other referral information

We accept referrals from GPs and Consultants.

From NHS GPs via the NHS electronic referral system:

Service name: UCLH- rehabilitation- FES

Speciality type: Rehabilitation

Service Location: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

 

From NHS hospital consultants:

By letter on NHS headed paper attached via email to: uclh.nhnn_fesclinic@nhs.net 

Referral address

The FES Service
Box 64 or 113
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery 
Queen Square 
London
WC1N 3BG
 

Consultants