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In line with the University of Edinburgh winter closure dates, the Anne Rowling Clinic, including the Clinic reception, will close at 5 pm on Tuesday 23 December and will re-open on Monday 5th January 2026 at 8 am.
Research and clinical trials
There will be no research or clinical trial appointments during this period. We will have an on-call team for people who are on the following clinical trials:
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Octopus
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MND-SMART
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Expert ALS
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Autolus
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Horizon
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Star-MS
Trial participants should contact 0131 465 9517, your call will go to an answer machine which will be checked daily over weekdays during the Festive break.
Please leave a clear message including: Your name. Your date of birth. Your contact number. The name of the clinical trial you are on.
Please note: we will not be able to take any calls regarding your clinical care and you should contact your GP or specialist care nurse.
What should I do in an emergency if I am on a clinical drug trial?
Always dial 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) in a critical emergency. Some examples of why you should attend A&E include: chest pain that will not subside, if you think you're having a stroke, severe breathing difficulties, severe injury or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. (This information is kindly provided by NHS Lothian.)
Clinical trial safety card
All clinical trial participants should have a trial safety card. Please adhere to the advice given on the safety card.
If you are being treated in a hospital or by a GP, please follow the advice on your trial safety card.
NHS Lothian out-patient appointments and telephone calls
There will be no NHS Lothian out-patients at the Anne Rowling Clinic during this time. The reception desk will also be closed for enquiries. As there will be no staff to manage the answer phone, we kindly request that no messages are left.
What should I do in an emergency?
Always dial 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) in a critical emergency.
Some examples of why you should attend A&E include: chest pain that will not subside, if you think you are having a stroke, severe breathing difficulties, severe injury, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. (This information is kindly provided by NHS Lothian.)
If you have MS and your call is urgent. Please contact your GP or NHS-24 in the first instance.
If you need to speak to one of the MS specialist nurses, please contact 0131 312 0720 and leave a message with your contact number for one of the team to call you back.
Please note that there is no MS specialist nursing cover on public holidays.
If you have MND and your call is urgent, please contact your GP or NHS-24 in the first instance.
If you need to speak to your MND specialist nurse, please contact Gill Stott on 0771 1386 201, Alison McEleney 0771 1386 202, or Juli Jose 0789 0971 916 and leave a message with your contact number for them to call you back.
Please note that there is no MND specialist nursing cover on public holidays.
Useful links
NHS Lothian's Department of Clinical Neuroscience
We know the Christmas season can be a joyful time for many, but it can also be overwhelming for others. If this time of year is difficult for you, please remember you’re not alone—there are supportive organisations, community groups, and helplines ready to listen and help whenever you need it.
We wish all our research participants and patients a peaceful Festive period.