The Mindgardens Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) Clinic has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious 2024 NSW Premier’s Awards, which celebrate outstanding work in the NSW public sector. The clinic is among five finalists in the Highest quality healthcare category, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in November.

Dr. Adith Mohan, Mindgardens FND Clinic lead and senior neuropsychiatrist at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and the University of NSW, said, “It is an honour to be recognised as a Premier’s Award finalist alongside exceptional state-wide services in diverse domains of health-care. This acknowledgement will be enormously encouraging for people who live with FND, which remains under-researched, misunderstood and under-funded.

“As our clinic is demonstrating, it is possible to make an enormous difference in people’s lives by offering focused, individualised assessment and support programs in a specialist setting, in collaboration with their usual care providers. We can help people to manage their symptoms, rebuild their confidence, improve their quality of life and get back to work or study.”

FND is a common neurological condition arising from abnormalities in brain or central nervous system functioning, in the absence of any detectable physical abnormality. It can manifest as seizures, weakness, tremors, abnormal movements, or result in cognitive, speech, gait, or vision issues. In addition, patients often experience chronic pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, significantly affecting their ability to work and engage in daily activities. Annually, FND is diagnosed in up to 12 people per 100,000 people, resulting in up to 300 new cases each year in NSW alone.

The Mindgardens FND Clinic was established in 2022 with seed funding from Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, which has contributed additional funds during 2023-24 through the generous support of private donors. These funds have allowed the clinic to continue caring for patients beyond its initial pilot phase, while it seeks further funding based on its outstanding preliminary results.

Professor Jackie Curtis, Executive Director of Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, said, “This recognition endorses the innovative work of the Mindgardens FND Clinic and its value to patients. The positive results from the clinic’s first phase will be relevant across NSW, Australia and beyond and I am delighted that Mindgardens was able to drive this project from concept to highly successful reality.

“I wish Adith and his team every success in the next round of the Premier’s Awards – whatever the outcome they have truly put FND on the map.”

Mr Christopher Hay, General Manager, Mental Health Services, at the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, said, “I am proud that SESLHD been able to host this start-up service at the Prince of Wales Hospital. The Mindgardens FND Clinic is having a positive impact on the lives of patients who live in our region, and beyond it through the clinic’s outreach and education activities. It is a deserving finalist in the Premier’s Awards.”

About the Mindgardens FND Clinic:

The Mindgardens FND Clinic operates within the Neuropsychiatric Institute, a clinical academic facility affiliated with the Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick. Clinical researchers from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) the University of NSW actively contribute to the clinic’s success.

• 196 referrals received over 15 months
• 96 patients (71%) accepted to clinic (75 patients on waiting list)
• 38 patients included in multidisciplinary 6-week intervention
• Continuing high demand for the clinic services
• Delivered multiple in-service training sessions for medical and allied health teams
• Positive improvement in mental health and overall physical health at 3- & 6-month follow-up

More information about the Mindgardens FND Clinic

More about the NSW Premier’s Awards and this year’s finalists