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At the beginning of August, Lynn, 64, from Liverpool, experienced a loss of feeling down one side of her body. Here is an account of her experience of stroke, and the care she received from The Walton Centre and Aintree University Hospital…

“I had been out with my daughter all day, we went to see my granddaughter dance in a show. It was a completely normal, great day. But when I got home, I was putting clothes away when I just lost feeling in my leg and fell against the bed. I looked down at the hand that I had put out to stop my fall, and I couldn’t register that it was mine. Luckily my grandson was still in the house, so I shouted for help and we went to Aintree University Hospital.

“I was having various tests and everything was moving quickly. They told me I’d had a stroke, and I just didn’t believe them. I couldn’t understand that what I was feeling, or actually the lack of feeling I was having, was because of a blood clot in my brain. After all the assessments they said I needed to have a thrombectomy at The Walton Centre.

“I don’t remember much, but I woke up with a bandage on my groin where they had put the catheter to reach the clot. Again, it was unbelievable that they had gone through an artery in my groin to remove something so far away up in my brain!

“Since having a stroke, I’ve met others who have had them. It was while speaking with a man who had had four strokes that I accepted what had happened to me. I vividly remember when I was a little girl I saw my granddad have a stroke, there was very little they could do for him at the time. Because of that, I had a very specific idea of what a stroke should look like, but of course I was wrong – there are so many ways it can manifest and cause problems.

“I think it’s important to highlight these experiences during awareness days and weeks, because the more visible it is, the more people may take notice, and be ready if the time ever came that they, or a loved one, was experiencing a stroke. I feel very lucky that I have these two amazing hospitals almost literally at my doorstep. Acting quickly meant that my stroke was sorted in good time, and I’m very thankful for that, as I know for others it isn’t always the case.”

Read World Stroke Day 2025…

Earlier this year, 48-year-old David Ellis from Liverpool discovered he had lost feeling down the right side of his face. Following investigations in Accident and Emergency, scans revealed a high-grade tumour in his brain.

David said: “I went to A&E because I thought I was having a stroke. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it was a brain tumour. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. However, I was reassured by the speed with which I was assessed by the clinical team at The Walton Centre and scheduled for my operation.”

Shortly after his referral, David's specialist team recommended an awake craniotomy, due to the tumour's location being close to areas involved with speaking and understanding. This procedure involves a patient being awake and alert during surgery to test functions like speech, memory, or mobility. This allows the surgical team to ensure that only cancerous cells are removed, preserving vital healthy brain tissue.

He continued: “When they suggested an awake craniotomy, I really wasn’t sure. But when they explained it was the safest way to remove the tumour while protecting my speech and memory, I agreed. I was nervous, but watching the patient information video reassured me. Every staff member was so supportive and understanding: they helped me feel ready.”

David underwent the awake craniotomy in the summer, during which the team successfully removed the entirety of the visible tumour. He has since completed a course of radiotherapy at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, and to date, the cancer has not returned.

For David’s procedure, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Hannah Jones-Reynolds assessed his speech and language using a variety of tests. She also supported David in his recovery afterwards. She said: “It’s incredibly important for brain tumour patients having awake craniotomies that function is preserved. I always feel honoured when I can support a patient in and out of surgery, and give them the best possible care despite having an often life-altering condition.”

Consultant Neurosurgeon Farouk Olubajo said: “It’s vitally important to us here at The Walton Centre that patients get the best treatment we can offer when they need it most. With awake craniotomies, having that real-time feedback from the patient on the areas of the brain I am working on is crucial to preserving their function and keeping them safe.”

Reflecting on his experience during International Brain Tumour Awareness Week, David said: “Looking back over the last 18 months, I realise there were crucial signs I missed which could have led to an earlier diagnosis. One time I was in a meeting and just couldn’t speak, and another time I fell in the road and could not get up easily. They seemed like minor blips at the time, but I should have known then to get checked out.”

“I feel incredibly lucky that The Walton Centre was able to remove the whole tumour and give me the best chance possible. The whole experience has inspired me to support others going through similar situations.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611

 

Read Liverpool brain tumour patient calls for greater awareness of early symptoms…

Professor Michael Jenkinson, Consultant Neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre and Sir John Fisher / RCS England Chair of Surgical Trials at the University of Liverpool, has received the Vilhelm Magnus Medal, often described as the ‘Nobel Prize of Neurosurgery’.

Awarded by the Norwegian Neurosurgical Association, the medal was given to Professor Jenkinson in recognition of his efforts to improve neurosurgical treatment outcomes, particularly in the field of neuro-oncology and clinical trials.

Professor Jenkinson said: “I’m delighted to receive this prestigious accolade. Over the course of my career, I’ve always strived to ensure patients are supported with the treatment and intervention they need at the time they need it most. The Vilhelm Magnus Medal has been given to some incredible neurosurgeons in the past, so it’s amazing to be able to stand among them.”

Past recipients include Professor Peter Hutchinson for his work on traumatic brain injury, and Professor Sir Graham Teasdale, the creator of the Glasgow Coma Scale.

Professor Jenkinson has led many clinical trials that impact patient care to this day. Most notably, he was co-chief investigator on the NIHR funded BASICS trial (The British Antibiotic and Silver Impregnated Catheters for ventriculoperitoneal Shunts randomized controlled trial) that showed antibiotic catheters reduced the infection rate from 6% to 2%, saving £135,000 per infection. Antibiotic shunts are now standard of care in UK neurosurgery.

Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive of The Walton Centre Dr Andy Nicolson said: “Receiving the medal is a testament to Professor Jenkinson’s determination and skill in delivering excellent patient outcomes. Research he has led has changed not only the lives of his and his colleagues' patients, but future brain tumour patients. This medal further cements his legacy in the history of neurosurgery.”

Professor Jenkinson received the medal at the Norwegian Neurosurgical Association’s annual meeting being held this week.

President of the Norwegian Neurosurgical Association Consultant Neurosurgeon Professor Sasha Gulati said: "Professor Jenkinson has been honoured with the Vilhelm Magnus Award in recognition of his exceptional dedication and important contributions to the field of neurosurgery. Renowned for his ability to identify clinical equipoise, Professor Jenkinson continues to push the boundaries of neurosurgical research. While his achievements are already remarkable, we are confident that his journey is far from over—and that even greater accomplishments lie ahead."

 

-Ends-

 

Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611  

Read Walton Centre Neurosurgeon receives prestigious award…

In 2021, Demi Morris, from Wrexham, was 17 when she was working her way through her final A-level exams when she suffered a bleed on the brain. Rushed to The Walton Centre for lifesaving surgery, the initial procedure was deemed too risky, reverting to an open brain operation instead.

It was discovered that Demi had an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), which is a tangle of blood vessels in the brain or on the brain surface. This causes blood to bypass the usual network of vessels and flows directly from arteries to veins. Demi’s AVM ruptured massively, causing haemorrhaging.

Demi said: “I’d just finished an eight-hour shift at the chip shop I worked at near home with a bad headache. I blacked out and woke up in intensive care at The Walton Centre. I couldn’t believe it, but I understand now how bad it was. The bleed was described as catastrophic.”

The surgical team at the specialist neurosciences hospital attempted to embolise. This procedure is where a catheter is used to deliver special materials like medical glue or particles into the abnormal vessels. This blocks blood flow to the AVM, reducing its size, helping to protect against bleeding, but this was deemed too risky. After monitoring, the team decided to perform a bifrontal craniotomy in order to excise the AVM. 

Demi said: “The operation took 12 hours, but ultimately they were able to remove the AVM. I was able to recover and go back to college to complete my A-levels. At this point I had already been inspired to pursue a career in nursing. I was blown away by the level of care and professionalism I received at The Walton Centre.” 

Fast-forward to the summer of 2022, Demi had a check-up scan, which revealed the AVM had returned.

Demi continued: “I was on a family holiday when I got the call from the hospital to return as soon as possible. We cut the trip short and came to The Walton Centre the next day. I was devastated, but I knew it was something that could happen.”

Demi’s clinicians ruled out further surgery owing to the risky area of the brain her AVM was in. The Trust referred her for stereotactic radiosurgery at Sheffield Teaching Hospital. The procedure involves targeted therapy which could significantly reduce or even eliminate the AVM and risk of it returning.

Demi said: “This procedure involved having a metal frame drilled to my head. The frame is crucial to the treatment and forms the basis for accurately identifying the position of the AVM. It was cumbersome wearing a metal frame for 13 hours at a time, but ultimately, they eliminated the AVM. I’m so grateful!”

Now, Demi has completed her nursing degree at Wrexham University, and has taken up a nursing post on a surgical ward. She said: “I’d rather not have had something like an AVM happen to me, but the big positive I’ve taken from it is that it’s inspired me to become a nurse. I feel so proud to have achieved my goal of completing my nursing degree. I would love to work in neurology one day. I want to care for people who are going through what I have experienced.

“I also think it’s important to show people that there is life after brain injury. That, despite setbacks, you can do anything! I will be forever thankful for the care I received at The Walton Centre. It literally changed my life.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611

 

Read Lifesaving care from The Walton Centre inspires Demi’s nursing career…

Towards the end of 2024, TikTok Influencer Heather Ryan developed Axonal Peripheral Neuropathy caused by a vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency, shortly after having gastric surgery abroad.

The 23-year-old recovered well from the gastric sleeve surgery she travelled to Turkey to have in October last year. But in the months that followed, when reintroducing soft foods into her diet, Heather began to struggle to keep even water down.

She said: “I recovered fully from the actual surgery well. It was when at home slowly introducing more solid food back into my diet that I started getting into trouble. It felt like reflux, it was really hard to deal with. It was because of this I wasn’t getting the nutrients I needed, as I wasn’t able to eat without vomiting afterwards.”

In the months following, Heather’s condition had become worse, to the point where her legs felt weak, and she was beginning to lose sensation in her feet. At the beginning of 2025, Heather collapsed.

Heather continued: “It was really scary. I’d been throwing up and was so weak that when I collapsed I couldn’t lift myself back up off the floor. After a number of tests and investigations I was finally referred to The Walton Centre for specialist treatment. By this point the numbness in my feet had become painful.”

Once Heather’s pain was brought under control, she was transferred to The Walton Centre’s hyper-acute unit initially, then moved to the Complex Rehabilitation Unit (CRU). After further investigations, Heather was diagnosed with Axonal Peripheral Neuropathy. This condition occurs when the central core of nerves degenerates or is damaged, causing weakness, numbness or tingling in limbs.

Heather said: “By the time I got to CRU, I couldn’t walk or stand up at all. I was devastated. But all the staff, from the domestic team to the many different medical teams, got me working hard to recover.”

Heather underwent intense occupational therapy and physiotherapy, as well as psychological support and medical monitoring. She continued: “I really really didn’t think I would walk again. Which is why within a matter of weeks I was so shocked that I was able to stand up and take my first few steps. At this point I knew I had an amazing team behind me to help me get back to as close to normal as possible. What made a huge difference was that they saw me as a whole person, not just specific symptoms to be rehabilitated. They cared about everything, and that was incredibly important to me.”

Heather spent five months on CRU, working towards walking again and minimising her neuropathy as much as possible. Since being home for the last two months, Heather has been going from strength to strength.

She said: “My standing tolerance is getting better and better. I’m able to walk further each day, and I can feel my toes again. I’m staying as active as my body will allow. My family have really rallied around me, and our close relationship has helped with my recovery. I hit rock-bottom last year, so everything I’m able to regain or do is a win. I’m grateful to all the staff at The Walton Centre who supported my recovery and have put me on such a positive path.”

See more of Heather’s recovery journey on her profile on TikTok below:

@heathdingers

Thankyou to everyone at The Walton Centre ❤️ GUYS IM FINALLY HOME

♬ original sound - Heather Ryan

 

 

Read Recovery complications meant Heather had to relearn to walk after gastric sleeve surgery…

To highlight one of our busiest services, Headache Service Lead Consultant Neurologist Dr Mona Ghadiri-Sana describes what goes into delivering outstanding, cutting-edge treatment for our patients.

The Walton Centre's headache service covers a wide geographical and population area of about 3.5 million people. We also regularly manage patients referred to us nationally.

We are one the biggest headache centres in the country, with four specialist consultants, with myself as the service lead, four specialist nurses, one headache coordinator as well support secretaries. We manage patients with a wide range of refractory headache disorders, and offer the latest treatments in headache management, including onabotulinum toxin, cranial nerve blocks, gammacore, CGRP targeted treatments including CGRP monoclonal antibodies and gpants and many more.

We work closely with our colleagues in pain and neurosurgical divisions to escalate care for those patients, who's conditions do not respond to medical management. We have the largest CGRP targeted cohort of patients in the country. 

We have one of the most comprehensiveIdiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) multidisciplinary teams in the country.

We are at the forefront of research and have been involved in the trials for many advanced treatments outlined above, and are currently recruiting patients who have menstrual related migraines.

We are actively involved in education and have our fourth annual north west training event in October (2025).

We continue to present our work nationally and internationally as well as continuing to improve the service through our continued learning.

Read Migraine Awareness Week 2025: Highlight one of the UK's busiest headache services…

The Walton Centre, the UK’s only specialist trust dedicated to neuroscience, will once again be featured in hit 5 documentary series Trauma Room One, an in-depth series exploring the complex world of neurosurgery. 

After the initial series in autumn 2023, the eight-part series was then repeated on 5 in spring 2024. The series, produced by Renegade Stories, follows the multi-disciplinary neurosurgical teams based at The Walton Centre, covering a range of complex and lifesaving procedures, from time-critical thrombectomies for stroke patients, to awake craniotomies for patients with high grade brain tumours.   

Chief Executive of The Walton Centre Jan Ross said: “I’m delighted that, once again, we’ve been able to let cameras into our busy hospital to highlight the incredible work our staff do. I think the series captures compelling stories of patient experience here at The Walton Centre and shows the exceptional level of care our staff give to patients.”

The film crew spent eight weeks over the summer shadowing neurosurgery, radiology, and life on the wards, gaining exclusive access to urgent and lifesaving operations.

Medical Director and Deputy CEO Dr Andy Nicolson said: “It’s very important that we recognise the work staff do on a daily basis. For many, they are being referred for urgent operations to significantly improve, or save their lives. The second series of Trauma Room One will give viewers another unique insight into the work we do here, and I’m extremely proud of the level of professionalism displayed in each episode.”

Renegade Stories, the production company behind Trauma Room One, has covered a number of subjects, from war zones to disasters. 

Renegade Stories Executive Producer Livia Simoka said: “It’s a privilege to be welcomed back into The Walton Centre to witness the extraordinary skill, teamwork and compassion that goes into every patient’s care. Trauma Room One is as much about high-stakes surgery as it is about the people whose lives are transformed and the remarkable staff who make that possible. We’re thrilled to be bringing their stories to viewers once again.” 

The new series will air on 5Star this autumn and you can catch-up on last series here.

-Ends-  

Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611

 

Read Hit TV series Trauma Room One returns to The Walton Centre…

The Walton Centre is in the top ten Trusts in the UK after introduction of the NHS National Oversight Framework - a new tool by which all NHS Trusts will be measured. There’s 22 metrics with the framework, spread across six domains, which come together to give each organisation a segment rating of between 1 at the high end down to 5.

The Walton Centre ranks 7th out of 134 hospitals in the acute and specialist Trust league table and ranks third in the North West.

The specialist Trust is assessed against 18 metrics that apply to acute and community trusts. The results form a league table which will be updated quarterly, making a visible and accessible way for patients, staff and the wider public, to understand how the Trust is performing.

The 2024 National Adult Inpatient Survey results were also published this morning ranking The Walton Centre fourth in the region for ‘overall experience’, with a score of 9 and the top score being 9.2. This survey is hosted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and looks at the experiences of patients who stayed at least one night in The Walton Centre last year, making it a valuable tool to gauge patient satisfaction. Our results are bench-marked against other Trusts across the region.

Key highlights include:

• The Trust scored top three in the region in the following areas: the hospital and ward; and basic needs
• The Trust scored top four in the region in the following areas: admission to hospital; nurses; your care and treatment; kindness and compassion; respect and dignity

Where patient experience scored best:

• Wait to get a bed: The wait to get a bed on a ward after arrival
• Leaving hospital: Staff telling patients who to contact if they are worried about their condition/treatment after leaving hospital
• Explaining a change of wards: Reasons for changing wards explained in a way they can understand
• Waiting in the hospital: Length of time waited (in another location) before admission to a ward

What we can improve on:

• Waiting list: Length of time on waiting list before hospital admission
• Leaving hospital: Staff discussing with patients whether patients may need further health/social care services after leaving
• Individual needs: Staff taking into account patients' individual needs (dietary needs)
• Information about medicine to take at home

Where areas of improvement have been identified, we’ll be working with teams across the hospital to address these as we look to continually improve.

Read National Oversight Framework and Adult Inpatient Survey put The Walton Centre at the top…