“We want to provide a safe haven for our patients
and their families - a peaceful environment that
reiterates to them that they have the best
possible care, helping them ‘live in the now’.”

Dr Agam Jung - Consultant Neurologist

"Ultimately my goal is to help people
living with MND to experience a
good quality of life."

Claire Lang - Clinical Nurse Specialist

“It can also be quite a humbling
experience and whilst it is easy
to see weakness and loss there
is often huge strength and devotion.”

Fiona Cicognini - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

“I’m also very fortunate to work so
closely with such an experienced
team, so whatever the query,
we can get it sorted together.”

Christine Bailey-Scott - Dietitian

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal

A vision of Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist and clinical lead for the motor neurone disease service, we're supporting Leeds Hospitals Charity in their bid to raise £6.8 million to build The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.

By donating to the charity appeal, you can support the creation of a bespoke centre that delivers excellent patient-centred care in a supportive purpose-built environment suitable for the needs of the 21st century.

Donate to the The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal online through Leeds Hospitals Charity’s website.

Donate now

“We want to provide a safe haven for our patients and their families - a peaceful environment that reiterates to them that they have the best possible care, helping them ‘live in the now’, a serene place that instils hope and courage.”

Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist at Seacroft Hospital

“My vision is that people diagnosed with MND hear the news in a calming and tranquil sanctuary. I envisage a beautiful, welcoming building that is user and family friendly. A place where patients feel comfortable to bring family members into a safe and homely environment for them, with signs of hope and optimism."

Rob Burrow MBE

Why is a new centre needed?

Originally built in the early 20^th century with care for infectious diseases in mind, the current home of the Centre is now showing its age. Significantly, the technology relating to the care needs of people with MND have moved on, whilst the building remains the same.

The current MND centre is located on a busy multi-purpose ward not built with MND patients in mind.
There is no private space for patients and families to be alone after receiving life-changing news.
A long walk from the hospital car park can be challenging for patients and loved ones with mobility issues.
The wheelchairs especially adapted for MND patients are too wide for the door frames of the centre.
Facilities such as rest areas and toilets are unable to be equipped with the hoists and aids needed for patients with mobility impairments.
Over the past ten years, both the number of people with MND referred to the centre and the size of the care team itself has doubled.

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What will the new centre look like?

The aspiration for a new centre will be a hub of innovation, education and excellence for MND in the region, bringing together holistic patient-centred care and excellent nursing standards in a purpose-built environment. This bespoke unit will imitate the team’s care model, placing the patient and their family at the centre, with the capacity for delivering excellent care, support and MND education built around their needs.

The brand-new centre will see all MND services housed under one roof for the first time, in an accessible location conscious of the needs of those who visit. Supporting all aspects of the patient’s journey, the centre will create comfortable and peaceful surroundings for patients and their families, including space to reflect after difficult conversations.

The centre will also be built with a vision for the future, able to support patients with MND today whilst adapting to new innovations and treatments for the patients of tomorrow.

Are there any designs or visuals of the new centre?

As it is still early days, there are currently no designs or visuals available of what a new centre might look like.

How much will the new centre cost?

The Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal aims to raise £6.8m to fund the building of the new centre and create a deserving centre of this condition and of Rob Burrow’s name.

Where will the new centre be located?

Work is underway to identify a location that will help reduce travel across hospital sites and be much more accessible for patients with mobility issues.

When will the new centre open?

The development of the centre will depend on how quickly the £5m fundraising target can be reached. This is an ambitious project and at this stage the appeal is being launched to tie in with the heightened publicity around Rob Burrow’s autobiography and the shortlist of the BBC Documentary about Rob for the National Television Awards. Full plans, designs and details will be released in the next few months.

How can I donate?

Donate to The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease online through Leeds Hospitals Charity’s website.