A SUFFOLK hospital is hoping to be at the forefront of providing new treatments for multiple sclerosis with the appointment of a consultant with a special interest in the condition.

A SUFFOLK hospital is hoping to be at the forefront of providing new treatments for multiple sclerosis with the appointment of a consultant with a special interest in the condition.

Dr Paul Molyneux is one of four new consultants to join the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

He is taking on a new post as the trust's second consultant neurologist, based at the West Suffolk Hospital for three days a week and spending the other two days at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

He has a special interest in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and will be involved in the Beta-interferon clinic at Addenbrooke's, to help manage the care of people with the disease.

He said: "My appointment will mean a substantial increase in the level of service which the trust provides for patients with neurological problems. Patients should be seen more quickly, and those with chronic conditions should be seen by a consultant more regularly than in the past. I want to expand the service provided to patients with multiple sclerosis, putting the trust at the forefront of providing new treatments for the disease."

Having completed his medical training in London, Dr Molyneux spent three years studying the effects of Beta-interferon as a Research Fellow at the National Hospital in Queen Square, London, before being appointed as specialist registrar in Neurology.

"It is good to be working at a dynamic forward-thinking trust which attracts top consultants from throughout the country," he said. "My wife and I are enjoying the quality of life which Suffolk offers compared to London. The friendliness of the people is quite extraordinary. Having moved house while my wife was 38 weeks pregnant, it has certainly been an interesting time."

Mr David Ross joins the trust as a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology. His is a new post, bringing the number of consultant obstetricians working in the trust to six. Mr Ross qualified as a doctor from Oxford University in 1990. His most recent post was as specialist registrar at King's College Hospital in London.

Dr Nicholas Levy starts work as a consultant anaesthetist with an interest in critical care on June 30. He is a replacement for Dr Kwee Matheson. Dr Levy qualified as a doctor from the Royal Free Hospital, London University in 1993. His most recent post was as specialist registrar at Addenbrooke's and Papworth Hospital.

Alessandra Canal joins the trust as a consultant plastic surgeon with an interest in breast and skin cancer. Hers is a joint appointment with Addenbrooke's Hospital. She qualified as a doctor from the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. Her most recent post was as consultant at the plastic surgical unit at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.