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At the beginning of October, 62-year-old Frances Hughes from Chester found her left-hand-side paralysed, she had limited speech and was struggling to concentrate. Later, it was discovered that she had had a stroke and was subsequently treated by The Walton Centre through its’ enhanced 24-hour thrombectomy service, which covers Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales.

Frances said: “I woke up feeling fine but, when I tried to brush my teeth; I found I was doing it wrong and couldn’t think how to correct it. I then began to lose feeling in my left arm and leg and that’s when I knew I was in trouble.

Frances’ husband Bryan called for an ambulance which delivered her to the Countess of Chester Hospital’s Emergency Department. There, clinicians found a clot in the artery leading to her brain and they decided Frances needed urgent neurosurgical intervention. This resulted in being transferred quickly to The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

Frances continued: “When I arrived at The Walton Centre, there was a team of experts waiting to take me straight in for the thrombectomy. The Neuroradiologist was excellent at explaining the procedure to my son, who had arrived at the Countess and travelled with me in the ambulance to the Walton centre. He then felt confident in signing the consent forms.

“After I’d woken up from the procedure, it was like someone had clicked their fingers and I was back to normal again, I couldn’t believe it!”

Frances was transferred back to the Countess of Chester after the thrombectomy and discharged home after four days.

In relation to the care she received at The Walton Centre, she said: “I feel so lucky. The stroke could have happened at any point – when I was asleep, in the car, when I was on my own. I asked my son afterwards why he came with me in the ambulance. He said it was because he thought he might not see me again, it was that serious!                                                                                           

“The Walton Centre literally saved my life. I was in a bad way before getting the emergency thrombectomy. To go back to normal afterwards without any residual effects felt like a miracle. The staff were incredible. It is so important that we have a service like this literally on the doorstep in Liverpool.”

In October this year, The Walton Centre enhanced the Thrombectomy service to run 24 hours a day seven days a week, enabling hospitals in the region to refer to the service at any time. Thrombectomy is an innovative procedure which involves using guide wires and specialist equipment to remove blood clots from arteries and veins in the brain.

The Walton Centre’s Medical Director Dr Andrew Nicolson said: “I’m thrilled that the outcome for Frances was positive and that her experience here was exceptional. Being able to offer this specialist procedure 24/7 means a significant improvement in treatment for stroke patients in the region. This procedure is most effective for those who have an ischaemic stroke when the treatment is started as soon as possible after the initial symptoms. Working with our hospital partners across Cheshire and Merseyside has been essential to the successful implementation of this new service, and we hope it will continue to significantly change the outlook for stroke patients in our communities.”  

 

Read Enhanced Thrombectomy service ‘completely reversed’ effects of stroke for Fran…

The Rapid Access to Neurology Assessment (RANA) service, developed by clinicians at The Walton Centre, provides patients with direct access to expert neurologists when they visit Emergency Departments with neurological signs and symptoms.

RANA was introduced in February 2021 to support the system further as part of The Walton Centre’s mutual aid offer during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first two months saw 27 patients from Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside, saving approximately 32 bed days.

The new assessment pathway was created by Dr Anita Krishnan, the Trust’s Clinical Director for Neurology. She said: “The vast majority of acute inpatient referral requests from our partner hospitals can be a range of common neurological disorders, from migraines and seizures to functional disorders and sensory disturbance. Before RANA, these patients would often be admitted and have to wait for a visiting neurologist, who would assess them and in most cases discharge them and agree next steps. I saw that we could improve this process and free up much needed beds in emergency departments across the region.

“Under RANA, patients who fit the criteria will now be referred immediately to The Walton Centre and receive the most appropriate care, from the most appropriate person, at the most appropriate time, without getting stuck in the wider healthcare system unnecessarily.”

 

Read New neurology assessment eases bed pressures in Cheshire and Merseyside hospitals…

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, alongside the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, has been awarded Centre of Excellence status after rigorous assessments led by experts from the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM).

The Walton Centre’s Consultant Neurosurgeon Professor Michael Jenkinson led application, he said: “We are delighted to have been recognised as a TJBCM centre of excellence. The entire team works extremely hard to deliver the best possible wrap-around care for all the 500 brain tumour patients and their families treated at The Walton Centre each year. We are dedicated to providing high quality, compassionate and holistic care as well as offering clinical trials and research opportunities to patients - without whom, new and better treatments would not be possible." 

With more than 12,000 people diagnosed every year with a primary brain tumour in the UK, the award has been introduced to recognise hospitals for their excellence in patient care. Led by a committee of experts in the field and virtual site visits, the assessments were backed up by patient feedback about the care they received. This award is one of two to be awarded today, 11 centres have been given the status to date. Barts Health NHS Trust was also awarded the status.

The TJBCM assessors were impressed by how closely the three members of the Liverpool Network work together to make sure people with brain cancer receive seamless care throughout what can be a very complex treatment journey involving diagnosis surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Dr Shaveta Mehta, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: “We are very proud that our patient-centred approach and the high standard of care with close collaboration between different teams in Liverpool and North Wales has been recognised. Being a designated Centre of Excellence and part of the new Tessa Jowell Academy will be a fantastic opportunity to share expertise and learn from other centres, further improving the standard of care and experience of people with brain cancer right across the UK.”

The “Excellence” status provides reassurance about the availability of excellent care within the NHS, and positive recognition for our staff who continue to go the extra mile for patients, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Dr Win Soe, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, said: “The North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre is extremely proud to be part of the team awarded the prestigious Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status. It reflects the hard work and commitment of staff at all levels in providing a comprehensive yet individualised plan of care for patients with brain tumours. In particular, the award comments on the ‘demonstrated excellence and leadership along the treatment pathway’. The fact this award has been received despite the challenges faced throughout the Covid Pandemic is a huge testament to the whole team.”

The report by the TJBCM describes that the team “demonstrated excellence and leadership along the treatment pathway” and is “proud to have you as an ambassador to the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence network”. 

Prof Kate Bushby, who led the assessment said: “I am thrilled to announce two new Centres of Excellence who each demonstrated unique areas of excellence from which patients benefit. Throughout 2021, we have witnessed first-hand how centres have been increasingly sharing information and are innovating how they provide patient care. I look forward to seeing this upward trajectory continue over the next few years and see how patients and their family will have access to ever improving care.”

Three years ago, Baroness Tessa Jowell gave her powerful speech in the House of Lords recognising the need to improve brain tumour treatment, care and survival for all patients. Since then the TJBCM, with Professor Katie Bushby as programme lead, has been leading on the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence designation initiative – an exercise designed to recognise and award neuro-oncology centres for their excellence in patient care.

For more information on the Mission, go to: https://www.tessajowellbraincancermission.org/  

 

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Further information, or to arrange a visit contact the Communications Team on 0151 556 3397 or email wcf-tr.waltoncentre.communications@nhs.net.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. It has twice been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. 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.

 

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 awarded Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence Status…

Staff and supporters from The Walton Centre have raised over £10,000 for The Walton Centre Charity as part of this year’s Virgin London Marathon, supporting excellence in neuroscience, and patient treatment and care.

A Walton Centre team, spearheaded by Chief Executive Jan Ross, completed a bespoke course around the streets of Liverpool on Sunday as part of the Virtual Virgin London Marathon, raising over £6,000 for the Home from Home relatives’ accommodation at The Walton Centre where relatives can stay after a patient has been admitted for urgent treatment

It’s the first time The Walton Centre Charity received places in the event.

Jan Ross, Chief Executive, said, “It was a massive challenge but absolutely worth it, to raise money for this fantastic cause. The Home from Home service ensures the families of our patients can stay in a safe environment, close to their loved ones. I’m very proud to be raising money to support this – it’s such a vital service for the hospital. I’m feeling very tired and sore today, but I can’t thank everyone enough for their support, either at the start and finish, along the route, or through their donations. It means an incredible amount to me and the rest of the team.”

A number of ‘Fresh Leg’ supporters, including Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive Dr Andy Nicolson, and Deputy Medical Director Dr Sacha Niven, joined each of our runners for a mile or two along the route and spur them along, providing much needed support at various points of the course.

Fran Redmond, 25, is a former patient of The Walton Centre and took part in the Virtual Virgin London Marathon to say thank you to the hospital that saved his life.

In August 2016, after two weeks of headaches, insomnia and dizziness, he was diagnosed with an acute subdural haematoma and subarachnoid cyst. He said, “Thanks to the incredible work of The Walton Centre, hours in the operating room at the hands of my consultant Ms Catherine McMahon and the incredible clinical teams I was able to have my haematoma successfully treated.

“I cannot thank the staff at The Walton Centre enough for what they did for me, as without them I would genuinely not be here today. The road to recovery was a long one and I will never forget what happened and how that changed my entire life. I have two lovely scars on my head to forever remind me of the sanctity of life, how precious life really is and of the incredible work The Walton Centre.

“I’ve done some other runs to raise money for the Charity so being part of the London Marathon team felt like a natural step to say thank you to the hospital that saved my life, and support others like myself in their time of need.”

The Walton Centre Charity team in full was: Jan Ross, Chief Executive, Laura Abernethy, Patient Access and Performance Director; Frank Burns, Operational Services Manager; Eve Danaher, Physiotherapist; Harry Hodgson, Library Clerk; Tom Slater, Software Developer; Bala Sridhar, Digital Change Lead; and Fran Redmond, former Walton Centre patient.

To support the team’s fundraising, visit https://www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/virtual-london-marathon-runners and check out photos from the day on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

We also had two runners, Simon Thomas and Marie Garnett who ran their own courses as part of the Virtual London Marathon. Simon sandwiched the 26.2 miles around Widnes in the middle of the Great North Run and the Alton Towers half marathon as part of a triple challenge raising money in memory of his late family friend Spen Webster who received treatment at The Walton Centre for a brain tumour.

Marie ran a marathon on Sunday after learning to walk again following her diagnosis with a brain tumour in 2015, less than six weeks after giving birth. She spent more than a month at The Walton Centre and underwent three brain surgeries

Finally, one of our supporters travelled to London, raising money for The Walton Centre where her youngest brother is recovering from open brain surgery in late September. Ali Young completed her 10th London Marathon to thank The Walton Centre for all they’ve done for her brother who was treated for two brain aneurysms and a bleed on the brain.

Thank you to all our runners, what an amazing effort by every single one of you and the money raised will benefit so many of our patients. Thank you also to all the people who came out to cheer on our runners and volunteer as marshals, ‘Fresh Leg’ runners, and helping our runners prepare for the big day. 

 

For more information about how to get involved in The Walton Centre Charity visit thewaltoncentrecharity.org

Read Walton Centre team complete marathon effort…

When 53-year-old Christine Bore had a seizure at home in Southport, little did she know that that cause was a brain tumour. She was quickly referred to The Walton Centre, where Professor Michael Jenkinson diagnosed it as a grade four glioblastoma.

Surgery was arranged within weeks of the initial discovery, and Christine had her operation in May.

“I was amazed at the speed of the process. I appreciated the determination by Professor Jenkinson and the staff at The Walton Centre to get the tumour removed as soon as possible.”

As part of her treatment, Christine took part in a study involving a drink which helps surgeons distinguish between healthy tissue and the tumour – which can be difficult to do with brain tissue. ‘The Pink Drink’, called 5-ALA (branded as Gliolan), is diluted in water and drunk by the patient prior to surgery. The 5-ALA is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the brain and the tumour. Under blue ultraviolet light, the solution makes the tumour glow pink or red, showing the surgeon where the edges of the tumour are.

Professor Jenkinson said: “5-ALA is a fantastic tool we use in the removal of tumours. We use scans and images of the brain to navigate our way to the tumour, but sometimes it can be difficult discerning between healthy tissue and tumour, so caution is always necessary to avoid damaging the brain. By using the drink we can remove more cancerous tissue, therefore improving the patient’s chances of survival.”

After her surgery, Christine, who is a tissue viability nurse in Southport, recovered on Dott Ward. She said: “The staff on Dott were so supportive and helpful. Prof Jenkinson came to see me soon after the operation and told me all of the tumour that was revealed by the pink drink had been removed. I can’t tell you how relieved I was that everything went well. I was nervous to see how being on the other side of nursing would be, but the level of care I received was exceptional – I can’t thank them enough!”

Christine is now continuing her treatment with Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

According to The Brain Tumour Charity, studies show that in 70.5% of cases when the pink drink is used, surgeons manage to remove the entire tumour - up from around 30% without the use of 5-ALA. For more information: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/media-centre/news/research-news/5-ala-pink-drink-faqs/#:~:text=5%2DALA%2C%20also%20known%20as,less%20damage%20to%20healthy%20tissue.

 

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Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange a visit contact the Communications Team on 0151 556 3397 or email wcf-tr.waltoncentre.communications@nhs.net.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. It has twice been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. 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.

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 Patient drinks innovative ‘pink drink’ to help surgeon remove brain tumour…

Nine staff and supporters are running the Virtual London Marathon this year, raising money for the Home from Home centre. Two of them, Chief Executive Jan Ross (pictured above, left) and Patient Access and Performance Director Laura Abernethy (pictured right), share their reasons for taking part.

Laura, 37, has worked at The Walton Centre for seven years. She said, “Over my time here I have spoken to many families who have stayed in the Home from Home relatives accommodation and they all speak about how special and comforting it is to be so close to their loved ones at such a difficult time. The centre really does support patients and families during a very stressful time. Doing a marathon has always been on my bucket list (albeit quite a long way down!), so this seemed like the perfect opportunity – taking part in an iconic event, and for a great cause. Being part of The Walton Centre team is giving me the inspiration I need to complete it.

Jan, 47, was appointed as Chief Executive of The Walton Centre in June 2021. Previous to that she was the Director of Operations and Strategy and Deputy Chief Executive at the Trust and has 30 years’ experience working in the NHS.

A nurse by background, Jan said she signed up for Team Walton to support the fantastic Home from Home accommodation. “I’m incredibly proud that The Walton Centre offers this service which is so generously supported by The Walton Centre Charity. Families can have a safe environment to rest, eat and relax, all in the knowledge that they are close by to their loved one at such a difficult time. When I heard about the Virtual London Marathon places for Walton Centre staff and supporters, it felt like the right thing to do - we’d all want a facility like Home from Home in a time of need, and I’m proud to do my bit to raise money for it.”

Support Laura, Jan and the rest of our runners, and follow their training on social media! https://www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/fundraisers/virtual-london-marathon-runners

 

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Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange a visit contact the Communications Team on 0151 556 3397 or email wcf-tr.waltoncentre.communications@nhs.net.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. It has twice been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. 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.

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 CEO dons running shoes for charity marathon…