Metro Mayor visits leading Trust for UK-first VR technology

Virtual reality has led to new and exciting discoveries across many areas of life, including medicine. Now, The Walton Centre is leading the way in the use of VR in neurosurgery. This week, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram visited the Trust to watch a demonstration of the newly installed Neuro VR simulator – the UK’s first and only such piece of equipment.

The Neuro VR will enable experienced surgeons at The Walton Centre to develop the very latest techniques, taking their skills even further, and allow trainee surgeons to practice safely, yet in a realistic environment.

Mayor Rotheram also met with staff and patients across the hospital, in the Complex Rehabilitation Unit, Radiology and the Intensive Care Unit to hear about the leading work being carried out in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation.

Jan Ross, Chief Executive, said it was great to welcome Mayor Rotheram to the Trust again, after previous visits in 2013 and 2019.

“Mayor Rotheram has always been a big supporter of The Walton Centre and the work we do as a specialist trust in his capacity as Metro Mayor, and previously, while he was MP for Walton.

“As we emerge from the stresses and strains put on healthcare from the COVID-19 pandemic, it was great to be able to show him how we are continuing to provide the very best treatment and care and share our plans for the future.

“Part of these plans is the Neuro VR machine, which was recently installed thanks to funding from The Walton Centre Charity and will be game-changing.

“It will become a national hub for simulation-based training in neurosurgery, benefitting patients across the country and changing the future of neurosurgery, so to be able to demonstrate this work to Mayor Rotheram was fantastic.”