What Does an Appointment at the Great Ormond Street Hospital Facial Palsy Clinic Look Like?

June 22, 2026

The Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Facial Palsy Service has had a change of consultant. To learn more about the clinic and the experience families can expect, I (Laura, Support Liaison Officer at Facial Palsy UK) had the opportunity to spend a day with the team during a facial palsy clinic on Magpie Ward. Armed with information leaflets and support signposting resources for parents and carers, I was able to observe appointments and gain a better understanding of the service.

Who Will You Meet?

The core members of the facial palsy team are:

• Professor Alex Woollard, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
• Edel de Buitlier, Specialist Facial Therapist

You may also see other healthcare professionals during your appointment, such as medical students or trainees. Referrals to GOSH must be made by a GP or consultant, and the service accepts referrals from across the UK. Both face-to-face and virtual appointments are available.

A Day in Clinic

I joined the team for a lunchtime botulinum toxin clinic, followed by an afternoon of outpatient appointments.

Botulinum Toxin Clinic

These appointments were relatively short. Each child was given the opportunity to demonstrate their facial movement, discuss how they felt about previous treatment, and receive their injections if appropriate. It was wonderful to see how bravely the children approached these appointments, and equally reassuring to see that their wishes were respected if they decided not to proceed with treatment.

Outpatient Appointments

The afternoon clinic consisted of 30-minute appointments with a variety of patients. Some children were attending their first appointment as babies or young children, while others had only recently been referred to the service as older children. Some of the patients were post-operative and had come for a follow-up to see how their rehabilitation was going.

Professor Woollard took time to listen carefully to each family’s story, encouraging both parents and children to share their experiences. Families often brought photographs and videos to help demonstrate facial movement over time, which proved valuable during discussions.

The regular facial therapy clinic runs from 9:00am to 12:30pm, after which patients attending for facial therapy have a separate appointment with Edel in the physiotherapy department. This is a good opportunity for her to review children’s therapy programmes face to face and answer any additional questions that may have cropped up from clinic. Appointments can often be coordinated on the same day as the MDT clinic, which is helpful – especially for those travelling a long distance.

Outcomes from an Appointment

Every child is different, and appointment outcomes varied depending on their individual needs. These included:

• Simple follow-up calls to stay in touch and monitor progress
• Further appointments to discuss surgical options
• Specialist facial therapy sessions with Edel to maximise facial movement and function
• Discussions about transition to adult services, including referral to Professor Woollard’s adult facial palsy clinic at the Royal Free Hospital for those approaching 18 years of age

Surgical Options at GOSH

The GOSH team primarily offers a two-stage facial reanimation procedure:

Stage One: Nerve Graft Surgery

The first stage involves a nerve graft to create a pathway for new nerve signals.

Stage Two: Pectoralis Minor Muscle Transfer

The second stage involves transferring a small muscle from the chest (the pectoralis minor) to help restore movement and facial expression.

Hospital stays, recovery periods, and expected outcomes are discussed openly with children and their families, ensuring they have the information needed to make informed decisions.

A Look Around Panther Ward

During my visit, I was also given a tour of Panther Ward, where children stay before and after surgery. The ward has dedicated play facilities for different age groups, including separate playrooms for younger and older children. There is also a dedicated play specialist, Jade, who supports children throughout their hospital stay and helps make the experience as positive as possible.

Specialist Expertise

In addition to treating facial palsy, the GOSH team has extensive experience supporting children with Moebius syndrome and other complex facial nerve conditions.

Top Tips for Making the Most of Your Appointment

• Prepare any questions you would like to ask in advance and bring them with you.
• Create a photo album on your phone and regularly add pictures or videos showing your child’s facial movements and expressions. This can be a valuable reference during appointments, particularly when clinic time is limited.

Additional Support for Parents of Newborns

If you are the parent or carer of a newborn who has recently been diagnosed with facial palsy, you may find our new article a helpful and reassuring read.

Read here: Newborn Facial Palsy: A Reassuring Guide for Parents