News

The Walton Centre is pleased to announce Irene Afful has joined the Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director.

Irene has extensive experience working in a multi-agency capacity, spending 25 years with Merseyside Police Service. There, she created and delivered the Phoenix Leadership Programme, a positive action initiative aimed at increasing recruitment of minority groups to the police service. During her career, Irene also became the first black female Detective Inspector with Merseyside Police Service, and took on roles including being instrumental in re-establishing and chairing the Black Police Association and as Female Vice President of the National Black Police Association.

Retiring in 2016, Irene then became an award-winning businesswoman, delivering a coaching and consultancy service, supporting organisations in attracting and retaining under-represented groups in leadership, community engagement and personal coaching.

Chairman of The Walton Centre Max Steinberg CBE said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to appoint Irene to our Board. I’m confident her exceptional experience in the police service, and her skills in organisational change, will be a positive influence on the team and the wider organisation.”

Chief Executive Jan Ross said: “Irene will be a fantastic presence in the team. In particular, drawing on Irene’s vast experience in safeguarding and the equality and diversity agenda will enable us to navigate an uncertain future when it comes to recruitment and retention, a challenge felt across the NHS.”

Irene she said: “I am really excited to be joining the Board at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust. The hospital provides an outstanding service to its patients and families. I have had personal experience of the excellent service provided to family and friends and I’m looking forward to supporting the Trust with continuous improvement in its services to support patients, families, staff and the wider community.”

 

Read New Non-Executive Director appointed at The Walton Centre…

A new service aimed at reducing the impact of one of the most devastating symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is being piloted at The Walton Centre, the country’s only specialist neurosciences Trust.

Swallowing problems, known as dysphagia, affect at least two-thirds of all people with MND during the course of their illness. This can either result in choking and chest infections if food, drink or saliva goes backwards, or drooling if forwards.

As well as significant health consequences, the impact of symptoms like drooling can result in considerable quality of life issues.

Mel Taylor (pictured above), Speech and Language Therapist, The Walton Centre, said, “Patients who suffer with poor saliva control resulting in drooling can very quickly lose their confidence in public situations, as they don’t want the stigma of being seen drooling. They can also struggle to make phone calls as the phone gets wet, and it becomes very socially isolating.

“From speaking to our patients it’s the issue that concerns them the most, so we really wanted to be able to tackle it as soon as it becomes an issue for them.”

Previously patients were assessed for three different treatments:

·        Hyoscine patch – prescribed by a GP, this is stuck onto the skin

·        Glycopyrrolate – a drug treatment which needs to be increased through its usage

·        Botulinum toxin – injections into salivary glands to reduce saliva production

Currently, patients have to be offered both the patch and drug treatments before being referred for botulinum toxin injections. Mel said, “It’s a long process, and for many patients those treatments don’t work as well as they would want. Therefore, it just adds to the feeling of social anxiety and isolation for our patients.”

The Walton Centre has developed a new clinic to cut through the three-stage process. Mel explains, “Patients come to the new clinic as soon as they start to suffer from saliva management issues. They’re assessed by myself, a specialist rehabilitation doctor and a respiratory physiotherapist and we carry out tests to check their swallow capability. Then we can make a decision there and then about which is the best option out of the three different kinds of treatment.”

As the only treatment centre for MND in the region, The Walton Centre sees approximately 200 patients a year. The new clinic is currently seeing both newly diagnosed and existing patients who are still suffering from saliva management problems.

Mel added, “We hope this new clinic will make a real difference, to both the quality of life for our MND patients and the reduction of further health complications from these symptoms.”

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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 New clinic making a difference for MND patients…

Spinal patients at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust have begun to benefit from a groundbreaking new surgical robotic navigation system – one of the first of its kind to be used in the NHS.

Called the ‘ExcelsiusGPS®’, manufactured by Globus Medical UK Ltd, the new innovation will see patients spend less time in theatre and potentially reduce recovery time after major spinal surgery.

Consultant Spinal Surgeon and Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Surgical Lead Miss Maggie Lee said: “This amazing piece of technology enhances what we currently have in surgery. The system enables us to operate with a higher degree of accuracy in navigation, so we can progress through the stages of the procedure much quicker. There is also a reduction in X-ray imaging needed during the operation. This means patients will be in surgery for a much shorter time and therefore hopefully have a much shorter stay in hospital.”

The system involves a rigid robotic arm, tracked and fully navigated by a camera, which is then programmed to follow a trajectory pre-planned by our surgeons. This allows them to facilitate placement of spinal screws and interbody cages to an incredibly high level of precision. 

Consultant Spinal Surgeon & Clinical Lead for Complex Spine Mr Simon Clark said: “Research into robot assisted navigation for spinal procedures shows that it’s considerably more accurate than previous freehand methods. This incredible system is not only going to allow us to improve accuracy and therefore clinical outcomes, but enhance patient experience and also improve training the next generation of spinal surgeons.”

Chief Executive Jan Ross said: “This exciting new innovation is going to change the face of spinal surgery here at The Walton Centre and beyond. Our surgeons have already successfully operated on patients with the ExcelsiusGPS® navigation system and are planning to apply benefits of this new tech to many more procedures. The team has worked incredibly hard to get this project across the line, they are pioneering how spinal operations can be modernised for the NHS going forward. This system will mean a more efficient service for our patients.” 

In collaboration with Globus Medical UK Ltd, the Trust will use the revolutionary equipment to deliver robotic spinal services. The Trust will also have the unique opportunity to become a training and education centre for the UK, showcasing the services provided to its patients on a national and international platform.

President of Imaging, Navigation and Robotics at Globus Medical Jay Martin said: “It’s a significant milestone for both Globus Medical and the NHS Trust to collaborate through technology innovation to fundamentally change the future of spine surgery in the UK.”

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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 The Walton Centre operates on first patients using cutting-edge navigation in complex spinal surgery…

Today, Thursday 29 September, we launched our new three-year Trust strategy, which sets out how we will continue to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and patient experience with our team of dedicated, specialist staff.

The strategy reflects the pace of change in the NHS due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the infrastructure changes brought about by the Health and Social Care Bill 2021.

Chief Executive Jan Ross said “As you would expect, patients, their families and our staff are at the heart of our new strategy as is collaboration with our partners across the region – throughout the health, government, voluntary, education and third sectors.

“The strategy is a dynamic and innovative approach for delivery of the very best care for every patient we treat, and as the UK’s only specialist neuroscience trust we want to ensure we can lead the region and the country in ensuring patients have the latest and leading treatments.

“The strategy focuses on five strategic ambitions: Education, training and learning, research and development, leadership, collaboration, and social responsibility. Through these five areas, we want to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and the very best patient experience.”

Read The Walton Centre launches its new Trust strategy…

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.”

 

Read Metro Mayor visits leading Trust for UK-first VR technology…

The Road to Recovery course for patients surviving bleeding on the brain has reached the milestone of 15 years of running, supporting for over 500 patients in its lifetime.

In 2007 a group of specialist staff here at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust identified that people who experienced Subarachnoid Haemorrhages (SAH), a potentially life-threatening bleed on the surface of the brain, needed a higher level of support after initial treatment. At the time, whilst physical treatment of SAH was comprehensive, the social, psychological and practical needs of those patients surviving the trauma were lacking.

From this realisation, a project involving patients and the wider public was launched, resulting in the creation of the Road to Recovery course – a course aimed at informing patients and their families and bringing them together to share their knowledge and experience. Groups such as The Brain Charity and the Brain Haemorrhage Support Group (BHSG) take part in the course, which is led by Specialist Nurse Practitioners and Interventional Neuroradiologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Neurosurgeons. The course covers coiling an aneurysm – the main treatment for SAH, the psychological effects of SAH and gives practical help on common issues such as fatigue and exercise as well as talks from people living with the effects of an aneurysm.

Neurovascular Advanced Nurse Practitioner Cathy Stoneley was part of the team which launched the course in 2007 and is still helping to deliver the course today. She said: “It’s been an amazing journey to see the course grow from strength to strength. Patients always give really positive feedback about the content of the course and the opportunity to meet people who are in the same boat so to speak. The Walton Centre treats about 150 patients a year for SAH, so it’s vital that these patients get ongoing support for their rehabilitation. The work we do is ever-changing, and the pandemic was a particular challenge as they’re usually in-person sessions. To adapt, we made the courses available online – with huge success!”

SAH is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60, usually affecting women more than men.

In May 2021 Darryl Hyde from Warrington blacked out after he fell in the garden. Darryl had a SAH and had an emergency endovascular coiling performed. He and his wife Louise attended the Road to Recovery course recently. Darryl said: “It was incredibly useful for us to be able to take part in these sessions. For me it was great to meet people who were at different stages of their recovery after a bleed on the brain. I’ve experienced fatigue and other side effects and to meet and talk to other people who have too helped to normalise many if the issues I faced. Louise has been a rock throughout my rehabilitation, but it is so reassuring to know that there are other people going through similar experiences after SAH. For Louise, the course was informative and gave her a great insight into what treatments I received, and also the coiling procedure which saved my life. The sessions on practical help with recovery from the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists was very useful too. I’m so thankful for The Walton Centre, the continuity provided from first admission all the way through to the course six months later was amazing, I truly feel that the staff at The Walton Centre can relate to my case on a personal level - Cathy & Debbie the specialist nurses: I am very thankful for all their support.”

The Road to Recovery course was the first of its kind in 2007, now many centres nationally are adopting the same kinds of support sessions for their SAH patients.

The Walton Centre’s Medical Director Dr Andrew Nicolson said: “I’m delighted that a course of this nature has lasted so long and has helped so many patients. SAH is often a life-changing event in someone’s life, even if they make a full recovery. I’m proud that our clinicians have used this course to put patients together, to foster a sense of community and enable them to be reassured by each other’s experiences. I very much look forward to seeing what the next 15 years holds.”

 

-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 communications@thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk

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 Recovery enhancing course celebrates 15 years of helping patients and relatives…