News

NHS Trusts across the North West are working together to improve the process for people diagnosed and treated for a brain tumour following a visit to A&E.

Staff at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust and Whiston Hospital in Prescot identified gaps in treatment for patients who attend A&E and receive a potential or confirmed diagnosis of brain tumour.

Most brain tumour patients first present with symptoms at an A&E and there are often delays in obtaining appropriate imaging necessitating inpatient stays.

The neuro-oncology team at The Walton Centre and the Acute Oncology Nursing Team at Whiston Hospital in Prescot developed an improved pathway for patients at St Helens and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust to receive the most appropriate treatment and/or support as quickly as possible.

After a successful pilot, the team at The Walton Centre is looking to embed the pathway and has since rolled it out at Warrington Hospital and Arrowe Park Hospital and are speaking to other hospitals in the region as well as national groups.

Mr Andy Brodbelt, Consultant Neurosurgeon and the lead for neuro-oncology at The Walton Centre, said, “Patients diagnosed with a brain tumour in an A&E are often admitted for further tests, which can sometimes take some time, delaying their review at The Walton Centre. Each hospital works differently, and it is important that effective communication occurs within each hospital before patients are seen in our specialist centre.

“Working with colleagues at Whiston Hospital A&E, we advised on the optimal and immediate pathway for diagnosis of a brain tumour. This can include early MRI, the need for CT scanning and commencement of appropriate medication.

“This should put patients in a much better position ahead of their first appointment at the specialist centre and will hopefully lead to much better outcomes.”

Mr Brodbelt said collaboration was key to the successful pilot and it was now encouraging to be able to roll out across the region. 

“We want to ensure that all patients diagnosed with a brain tumour across Cheshire and Merseyside have a clear initial management, rapid access to the appropriate imaging in their local Trust preferably as an outpatient, leading to a complete referral and review expedited at The Walton Centre. Working with busy colleagues across the region’s A&Es, we hope to be able to offer our expertise and specialist knowledge at The Walton Centre to provide a way forward.”

 

-Ends-

 

Pictured, from left: Divisional Manager for Neurosurgery, Sam Holman, Consultant Neurosurgeon Mr Andrew Brodbelt and Nurse Specialist Emma Wilby 

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 Brain tumour patients benefit from improved NHS collaborations…

Liverpool Philharmonic and The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust are pleased to launch a new partnership supported by The Walton Centre Charity and the Foyle Foundation. The organisations will work together using music to improve the health and wellbeing of patients with neurological and neurosurgical conditions, their families and carers, as well as staff at The Walton Centre. The partnership will deliver music-making activities across The Walton Centre, including participatory sessions on wards and performances in staff areas.

The Walton Centre becomes the fourth NHS Trust in Liverpool Philharmonic's Music and Health programme. They join original partners, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and Improving Me, a consortium of 27 NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside supporting women's health and maternity services.

Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music and Health programme uses a person-centred approach to music to benefit wellbeing, build connections and boost confidence. It has been running since 2008 and will celebrate its 15^th Anniversary in October 2023. Since the programme began, it has worked with over 17,000 people using music to support wellbeing, mood and build confidence.  The work is delivered by a team of 10 highly experienced musicians, and over 25 visiting musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Peter Garden, Executive Director – Performance and Learning at Liverpool Philharmonic, said: “It is fantastic that NHS Trusts in the region are increasingly recognising the positive impact music and professional musicians can have on people’s health and wellbeing, and enhancing health services. We welcome The Walton Centre to our Music and Health programme and are grateful for their commitment to this new partnership.”

Jan Ross, Chief Executive at The Walton Centre said, ‘I am delighted that we have been able to support this partnership with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The lift that the music performances will be able to give to our patients and staff will be of immense benefit to both their physical and mental wellbeing. I am really looking forward to hearing them around the hospital.”

 

Read Liverpool Philharmonic announces partnership with The Walton Centre…

Professor Tony Marson, Consultant Neurologist and Professor of Neurology at the University of Liverpool, has been selected to join a fellowship of outstanding biomedical and health researchers.

The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected 59 influential scientists to its respected Fellowship, it has been announced today (Thursday 18 May).

Professor Marson has been selected into the Academy in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the advancement of biomedical and health science, specifically his work on improving the treatment of epilepsy in the UK and worldwide.

Fellows are drawn from institutions across the UK and their breadth of expertise ranges from molecular imaging to biostatistics to public health policy. They join a prestigious Fellowship of 1,400 esteemed researchers who are central to the Academy’s work. This includes providing career support to the next generation of researchers and contributing to the Academy’s influential policy work to improve health in the UK and globally.

Professor Tony Marson said: “I’m honoured to have been invited to join this highly respected Fellowship. It is a privilege to be part of this open and progressive group of academics with a shared commitment to improving the health of people in the UK and globally. I look forward to sharing my expertise and expanding the University’s network to support its research goals.”

Professor Dame Anne Johnson PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said: “These new Fellows are pioneering biomedical research and driving life-saving improvements in healthcare, from understanding the spread of infectious diseases to developing mental health interventions. It’s a pleasure to recognise and celebrate their exceptional talent by welcoming them to the Fellowship.

“This year, we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. The Fellowship is our greatest asset, and their broad expertise and dynamic ability has shaped the Academy to become the influential, expert voice of health. As we look to the future, the collective wisdom our new Fellows bring will be pivotal in achieving our mission to create an open and progressive research sector to improve the health of people everywhere.”

Read more about the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship and for a full list of all this year’s fellows.

-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 Consultant Neurologist Professor elected into the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship…

I sit writing this guest editorial in a seaside cafe in Portrush, Northern Ireland, with National ODP Day on the horizon. Very much like the crisp spring sun shining off the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, I have become quite reflective on my career as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) and how far this once hidden profession has evolved over the years.

You see, dear reader, it was not always supposed to be this way. When I left school, I had been accepted onto a Degree in English Literature and Politics and had decided to take a gap year before venturing into higher education. My plan was simple, continue working at the Go-Kart Track on New Brighton Promenade, and sing in the distinctly average cover band that had been part of my life throughout sixth form. This all changed one Sunday morning when my mother, a theatre matron at a local district general, announced that she had ‘got’ me a job in theatre as a Health Care Assistant (HCA). My protest, I as you would expect, fell on deaf ears and a week later I began my career in the operating theatre. The first case I ever experienced was an amputation of a big toe, once the amputation was complete, the surgeon accidentally dropped the big toe on the floor while passing it to the scrub practitioner. In my eagerness to impress, I picked up the aforementioned toe, and before anyone could stop me, I very politely placed it onto the instrument trolley. The theatre fell silent, and realising my mistake, I began to apologise only for the scrub practitioner to let out a little chuckle and with a knowing wink said ‘We’ve all been there’ (thank you, Lynn Doyle).

It was during this time, as a HCA in theatre, that I began to fall in love with the role of the ODP, a practitioner who could work in all areas of the operating theatre and across multiple areas of the hospital as a whole. Fast forward four years, and I had qualified as an ODP, cutting my teeth in Cardio-thoracic before finding my home in Neuro at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, where I am now the Clinical Lead for Education, Risk and Governance. It is amazing to think that when compared to nursing, midwifery etc, that the role of the ODP is still very much in its infancy.

From its debated genesis as the assistance to the barber surgeons of Victorian Britain, to its long overdue recognition in the 1971 Lewin Report and the current day, where practitioners are now studying at master’s level and taking on extended roles across all aspects of the operating theatre and beyond. Even our title has changed multiple times as we slowly made our way to be recognised professionals; Operating Theatre Technicians became Operating Department Assistants and, finally, we became Operating Department Practitioners identifying the role was a profession in its own right.

So, as the sun begins to set across the North Coast of County Antrim, I ask myself, do I regret not pursing a Degree in English Literature and Politics, and a potential career as an international rock star? Not a jot! My career as an ODP has allowed me to work with incredible people and practitioners, care for patients in both good and bad times, and experience specialties that have both challenged and inspired. As we approach National ODP Day, I ask that we all raise a glass to these theatre Jedi, these multi skilled ninjas and look forward to the further evolution of a profession that is only just getting started.

-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 Raising a glass to theatre Jedi: Recognising National ODP Day 2023…

A new Staff Wellbeing Hub has been opened at The Walton Centre, offering a comfortable and relaxing space for staff to get away from their workspace, access resources or just simply take some time for themselves.

Officially opened by Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers, it is a newly refurbished space for staff to access information related to physical, financial, workplace, social and mental wellbeing.

Saffron said making such space available for staff wellbeing was vital. “For anyone working in the NHS, things like compassion fatigue can really come to the fore. What feels very important here is that the commitment to staff wellbeing came from before COVID, like a thread that runs through The Walton Centre’s commitment to their staff. It’s a lovely space and I hope everyone will find it of great benefit.”

Following the launch of our official health and wellbeing programme ‘Walton Wellbeing’ in June 2022 we wanted to introduce a safe, comfortable space for staff. The Staff Wellbeing Hub will be a central point to access practical information, upcoming health and wellbeing events and will be available for Health MOTs and workshops, Menopause Cafés and much more.

The hub also recognises the support the late Jean Blevin, Chair of StaffSide at The Walton Centre, gave to staff health and wellbeing at the Trust.

Chief Executive Jan Ross said: “Prioritising the health and wellbeing of our workforce is a key priority at The Walton Centre. We want to ensure our staff have access to the right services and resources to support them through life’s more difficult or unexpected challenges, particularly in the current cost-of-living crisis and as we navigate the post-COVID world. We hope the new hub builds upon our health and wellbeing programme and hope staff take the opportunity to enjoy the space.”

 

Read Supporting staff at The Walton Centre…

Nearly ten years ago, Canan Randall (pron Janan) started hearing a ringing in her ears. After being referred to The Walton Centre, it was quickly confirmed that they were dealing with the possibility of a brain tumour. An initial surgery in 2015 removed 80% of the tumour, subsequent annual check-ups found it was slowly growing. Canan had a second surgery in 2016 and is currently being monitored.

Canan said: “It’s been an extraordinary decade since my diagnosis and I’ve been cared for so well by The Walton Centre. I have a great consultant, and the nursing team are on hand if I have any questions or if I experience something unusual. The whole experience has prompted me to think more about my body and how I look after it. I’m continuing to remain active, and I’ve also changed my diet and lifestyle to adapt to my condition. I don’t think people realise how traumatic having a brain tumour can be, so having support from the hospital, and from my husband Steve has been invaluable.”

Steve Randall underwent radical changes to his life too, when he left his role as a Risk Director in financial services to pursue art shortly after Canan’s first surgery in 2014. So inspired by her care, he went on to dedicate portions of the sales of his artwork to The Walton Centre Charity, which recently cleared £20,000 in donations. Overall the project has raised over £38,000 for a number of local charities.

Steve said: “Canan was very clear right at the beginning when she was diagnosed – paint and raise money for good causes. She saw a talent in me that I didn’t even know existed myself! Canan is an endless source of inspiration for me, how positive she has been throughout has been amazing. I’ve always enjoyed the process of painting and creating works of art; I’m self-taught and never imagined this life for ourselves. I hoped to raise £20,000 when I set out to support the hospital’s charity, but to now actually achieve the milestone is incredible. I love being able to help in this way and hope to continue doing so.”

Canan added: “I really appreciate Steve’s creativity and love that he’s put this energy into supporting The Walton Centre Charity. I’m proud of him and he makes me very happy. The sheer amount of support inspires me to keep fighting.”

You can see more of Steve’s art at www.steverandall.art.com

-Ends-

Pictured L-R: Fundraisers Canan Randall & Steve Randall and The Walton Centre’s Head of Fundraising Madeleine Fletcher.

 

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 Kirkby artist hits £20,000 fundraising target after being inspired by wife’s treatment here at The Walton Centre…

In 2017 Ian Perry, 65, from Formby, started experiencing the first symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. While working here at The Walton Centre, he was fixing the heating in the Outpatients department when one of the hospital’s clinicians recommended they seek a referral from their GP. Weeks later a diagnosis was confirmed.

Ian said: “I felt lucky that someone noticed and recommended a referral, but also the shock of getting the diagnosis was hard to experience. Dr Steiger, neurologist, encouraged me to keep being physically active, as this can help with symptoms. I was going to the gym and took up golf, but some of the effects of the condition, like slurred speech and the tremors, can really knock your confidence. It wasn’t until 2021 that I considered walking football.”

Ian’s friends had seen the Parkinson’s England football team was having a training session and encouraged him to go along. Ian continued: “It was the first time in four years I had met other people with Parkinson’s Disease. It was such a relief to see others there to play football. My wife said I came back a different person. After that I knew I had to get more involved.”

Ian joined the Northern Lights football team, which consists of people with Parkinson’s Disease, and takes part in walking football matches across the country. He said: “While I was playing for the team, I took part in trials to play for the England team and I got in! It feels like I’m living the dream, the camaraderie is great, and at the end of last year I played in my first international match in Belfast. We played against able-bodied people and they didn’t even know we had the condition, that’s how liberating the sport is.

“You can achieve so much, even if you have Parkinson’s Disease. You forget you have it when you’re on the pitch, you just play the game.”  

For more information on The Walton Centre, go to www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk

And for the latest news and events on the Northern Lights group, go to their twitter page www.twitter.com/NLPDfootball

-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 “You forget you have Parkinson’s when you’re on the pitch, you just play the game” How patients with Parkinson’s Disease use walking football as a release…

One of The Walton Centre’s Pain Medicine consultants’ Dr Andreas Goebel has recently attained a professorship with the University of Liverpool, after demonstrating substantial progress in research into causes and new treatments for chronic primary pain.

Professor Goebel’s research includes developing an understanding the role of the adaptive immune system in causing severe, seemingly unexplained, chronic pain, focusing on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS).

He said: “I’m delighted I have been awarded this position. I am passionate about furthering our knowledge of chronic pain, how it’s caused, and how it can be treated. I am confident that we are getting closer to finding answers which will enable us to care for patients with severe chronic pain more effectively.

“I hypothesised that patients with CRPS and FMS had a special dysfunction (called ‘autoimmunity’) of their immune systems that was interfering with the nervous system. By confirming this hypothesis, our results have opened doors to new, potentially groundbreaking diagnostic and treatment technologies. We may also be able to catch some of these conditions earlier, and potentially even prevent them from developing.”

Professor Goebel has been a Senior Lecturer and Reader at the University of Liverpool since 2008. He also sees patients as part of The Walton Centre’s pain service, one of the largest in the UK.

Dr Andy Nicolson, The Walton Centre’s Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “It’s always a proud moment to see one of our consultants attain a professorship – an incredible academic achievement. The work that Andreas is doing in pain research is exciting. If his research leads clinicians to better treatments and be involved more in diagnostic work, then it will be an advancement for not just The Walton Centre, but clinicians from across the country, and the world!”   

 

-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 Dr Goebel becomes Professor of Pain Medicine at the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences…