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The endocrine service at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is one of eight centres in the world to be awarded a five-star Centre of Excellence rating in an independent review by the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT). 

Endocrine glands produce hormones. Hormones are commonly known for affecting our mood, but they do much more. They work as the body’s messengers – moving through the bloodstream telling organs exactly how to behave. They control our temperature, sleep, metabolism, heart rate and growth, as well as our mood.

The adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys, can grow abnormal cells and an adrenal tumour could form. When this happens people can experience symptoms such as high blood pressure, a fast heartbeat and weight gain, or develop diabetes.

In most cases the tumour is non-cancerous but around 1 in 10 are cancerous.

The European five-star Centre of Excellence rating has been awarded in recognition of the service’s outstanding contribution to both patient care and research, together with University of Birmingham, a fellow founding member of the city’s research alliance, Birmingham Health Partners.

Former patient, Esther from Worcester has welcomed the news. The retired schools inspector was diagnosed with a non-cancerous adrenal tumour in 2020. She said: “The fact that I feel fantastic is a testament to the care I received at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

"Thankfully my tumour wasn’t cancerous and didn’t require any further treatment. Nevertheless I was impressed by the team who were quick to find out what was wrong and put my mind to rest.

"The five star recognition is truly well deserved and reflects the high standard of care that patients receive.”

Clinical centres applying for ENSAT Centre of Excellence status are judged against five stars which relate to areas of adrenal tumour care, with the fifth star relating to research into causes, as well as new tests and therapies for adrenal tumours.

The application process is highly robust and requires well established structures and extensive evidence of highest quality care and research. UHB obtained the maximum level of recognition with all five stars, providing a model of best practice globally.

Consultant endocrinologist and reader in endocrine oncology, Dr Cristina Ronchi, who leads the Trust's adrenal tumour service, said: “This endorsement of excellence is the result of hard work and collaboration between the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) of the adrenal tumour service at UHB and the academic adrenal tumour research team at University of Birmingham.

"Adrenal patients referred to UHB services can feel confident that they are receiving the most up-to-date testing and care available, informed by the latest science."

Dr Helena Gleeson, UHB Endocrine Service Lead, said: “To achieve this recognition makes us all very proud and motivates us to continue to provide the most excellent service for patients with endocrine conditions including adrenal tumours."

Professor Wiebke Arlt, who founded the adrenal MDT at UHB in 2003 and is an honorary consultant physician in the department of Endocrinology at the Trust, explains: “This prestigious Centre of Excellence status builds on nearly 20 years of work here in Birmingham, combining ground-breaking research with excellent care for patients with adrenal tumours.

"We have made many contributions to understand the cause of adrenal tumours and developed new therapies and tests about to enter clinical practice.”