The Hospital for Sick Children Paediatric
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic
The Paediatric MS Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC)
began in October 1999 to provide comprehensive assessment, treatment,
education, and support of children and adolescents diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis and their families. The clinic takes
place twice a month and is run by a team of health care professionals
with expertise in childhood MS. Patients receive regular follow-up
appointments with the team and are seen as needed during acute
MS-related relapses. Acute relapses are generally managed through
our Medical Short Stay Unit, although patients with more severe
symptoms are admitted to hospital if necessary. Children who
live a long distance from HSC usually receive urgent care for
MS relapses through their local hospital in consultation with
the HSC team. Children diagnosed before their 18th birthday are
followed in the clinic until they have completed high school.
» Who Is Part Of the Paediatric MS Clinic Team?
The following professionals are available for assessment,
treatment, education and/or support during the MS Clinic:
Paediatric Neurologist
Clinic Nurse (Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse)
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Paediatric Neurology (Multiple
Sclerosis Certified Nurse)
Paediatric Physiotherapist
The following services provide additional consultation,
assessments or care as needed:
Social Work
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Neuropsychology
Psychiatry
Infectious Diseases
Neurophysiology - Evoked Potentials
Diagnostic Imaging - MRI
» What Happens At the Clinic?
All patients attending the clinic are assessed by the paediatric
neurologist and nurses. Based on the individual needs of
each patient and family, other members of the clinic team
such as the physiotherapist or social worker become involved.
Referrals to specialists such as a neuro-ophthalmologist,
neuropsychologist or psychiatrist are generated from clinic
assessments. Recommendations for further testing such as
blood work, MRI, or evoked potentials are also common during
initial assessments or when a child presents with new neurological
symptoms. When a decision is made to begin treatment with
one of the disease modifying therapies, the first injection
takes place in the clinic and patients and their families
are educated on medication preparation, administration and
storage as well as management of side effects.
Additionally, information is provided to families on multiple
sclerosis, treatment options and community resources.
» How Are Patients Referred to the Clinic?
A Neurologist or Paediatrician may refer a patient under
18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
to the HSC Paediatric MS Clinic. A referral form may be obtained
by calling the Neurology Clinic Booking Office at 416-813-8133
or logging onto the Hospital for Sick Children website at Sick
Kids and going to For Health Care Professionals then Referral
to Ambulatory Clinics and Services. The completed referral
form may be faxed or mailed to:
Neurology Clinic Booking Office,
Attention: Dr. Brenda Banwell
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Ave
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5G 1X8
Fax: 416-813-8105
» How Do I Find Out More About the Clinic? Contact information.
For general inquiries about the Paediatric MS Clinic and
the services provided, please contact:
Jennifer Boyd, Clinical Nurse Specialist
416-813-7738
E-mail: Jennifer
Boyd, or
The Paediatric MS Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC)
began in October 1999 to provide comprehensive assessment, treatment,
education, and support of children and adolescents diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis and their families. The clinic takes
place twice a month and is run by a team of health care professionals
with expertise in childhood MS. Patients receive regular follow-up
appointments with the team and are seen as needed during acute
MS-related relapses. Acute relapses are generally managed through
our Medical Short Stay Unit, although patients with more severe
symptoms are admitted to hospital if necessary. Children who
live a long distance from HSC usually receive urgent care for
MS relapses through their local hospital in consultation with
the HSC team. Children diagnosed before their 18th birthday are
followed in the clinic until they have completed high school.
