Hospital professor picks up OBE after transforming the lives of thousands of young people
A professor at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, whose tireless work has transformed the lives of thousands of young people, has officially received her OBE from HRH The Prince of Wales.
Professor Anita MacDonald, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, picked up the prestigious award from Buckingham Palace yesterday after being included in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Since joining Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 1987, Professor MacDonald has led a dedicated team of dieticians that care for children with rare inherited metabolic disorders (IMD).
The main form of treatment for many of these conditions is a therapeutic diet.
They are caused by a gene fault, which leads to a reduction or complete lack of an enzyme involved in the many complex chemical reactions causing a build-up of harmful chemicals or reduction in those chemicals needed for the body to work properly.
If left untreated imbalances occur that could lead to serious and sometimes fatal complications.
Over the last 29 years the hospital’s Inherited Metabolic Disorders Clinical Team has grown from having just three members to now more than 30 and have treated more than 1,000 children across the country.
Professor MacDonald, the UK’s first Consultant Paediatric Dietician and only Consultant Metabolic Dietician, has been at the forefront of ground-breaking research, education and training and is a respected global voice on improving treatment in this area.
Her work on improving treatment for children with Phenylketonuria (PKU) is particularly renowned.
Oral medicine protein substitutes are essential to prevent brain damage in patients with his specific IMD.
Previously these were bitter and unpalatable but Professor MacDonald led a revolutionary project to develop a more attractive range of substitutes, which are now available across the world.
Although she has received international acclaim for her innovations in the field, caring for her patients and families is at the heart of everything she does.
To improve the quality of life for the children Professor MacDonald and her team introduced the UK’s first and only home care service in 2000 and a 24/7 on-call dietetic service is also available.
A highlight of the year for her IMD patients is an annual party for children and their loved ones.
The fun event, which gives families the chance to enjoy themselves and meet those with similar conditions, began with just a handful of party goers more than 25 years ago but last month’s celebration played host to more than 100.