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A £2m donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal will allow surgeons at The Walton Centre to scan patients during their operation.

Money from the fund, set up by the wife of former Liverpool FC manager and player Kenny Dalglish, will buy an in-theatre intra-operative MRI scanner (iMRI) and associated equipment and will mean patients with brain tumours and other complex conditions will get access to the very latest technology.

The donation is part of a wider theatres project at the specialist brain and spine hospital. Two new theatres are being built around the iMRI scanner, increasing the existing number of theatres from six to eight, allowing the hospital to treat more patients.

Marina Dalglish said: “The Marina Dalglish Appeal is so proud to be involved in this project at The Walton Centre and really excited at its potential to offer patients in the North West the most advanced diagnosis available.

“Just having this iMRI scanner in Liverpool is of huge benefit to patients, many of who would previously need multiple operations.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported our Appeal and helped us to raise the money needed to buy this amazing equipment.”

The Walton Centre is unique in being the only stand-alone specialist neuroscience trust. As such, it attracts referrals from across the country.

Demand for the specialist services provided by The Walton Centre continues to grow.

The iMRI/ theatres project will give the hospital more capacity to meet this demand, enabling them to increase the number of patients they are able to treat. It will help keep the hospital at the forefront of neuroscience care and help achieve the best results for patients.

The iMRI system allows the surgeon to visualise more easily the extent and position of the tumour to ensure that all, or as much as possible, of the tumour is safely removed during the operation.

Complicated cases can result in patients needing multiple scans and operations to remove tumours. Having this technology also reduces the chances of a patient needing to return to theatre post-operatively.

Surgeons remove tumours surrounded by delicate brain tissue responsible for the functions such as speech and movement. The added precision provided by this technology – which gives surgeons a highly detailed picture - means more healthy tissue can be spared from damage during the removal of a tumour.

Andrew Brodbelt, Consultant Neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre, said: “The new iMRI is an exciting addition to our surgical facility. Patients will be able to be scanned during surgery, providing surgeons with a more accurate picture of their brain and any remaining tumour that needs to be removed.

“The potential benefits include decreasing the chance of patients needing to go back to theatre for further surgery. We are truly grateful for the support of the Dalglishs in helping to get this project, which has been an ambition of ours for a long time, off the ground and running.”

The new development is being built as an extension to the existing theatre suite at the Fazakerley-based hospital. This means that normal hospital business has been able to continue as usual with no disruption to admissions, surgery or clinics.

Construction firm Interserve is carrying out the build. The company worked with The Walton Centre on its Sid Watkins Building, officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal last year, which houses a specialist complex rehabilitation unit for patients needing intensive rehabilitation following major illness or injury.

The development is currently four months ahead of schedule and is expected to open in February 2017. The iMRI scanner adds to the Trust’s impressive diagnostic suite. There are four MRI scanners already at the hospital.

The total cost of the theatres project is £8.1m. The iMRI and associated specialist imaging and navigation equipment is being funded by The Marina Dalglish Appeal. The building work for the two new theatres and scanner suite and theatre equipment is being funded by the Trust.

 

Read £2m donation from The Marina Dalglish Appeal funds new iMRI scanner…

A powerful intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRI) arrived in its new home at The Walton Centre.

The seven-tonne scanner has been funded through a £2m donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal and will be the first of its kind for adults in the North of England.

Marina Dalglish, who is the wife of former Liverpool FC manager and player Kenny Dalglish, said: “On behalf of everyone at the MDA, I am delighted that the money raised for this innovative machine by all of our loyal supporters is going to be so critical in helping many people on Merseyside and beyond.”

Stuart Moore, Director of Strategy, said: “This is an exciting addition to the diagnostic and treatment facilities we already have at The Walton Centre. The technology also opens up possibilities for new treatments in the future.

“We are extremely grateful to the Marina Dalglish Appeal for supporting us.”

The scanner is part of a wider theatres project. Two new operating theatres are being built around the scanner. This will allow surgeons to scan the patient’s brain during an operation and then continue the procedure without the patient having to leave the theatre suite.

The iMRI system allows the surgeon to visualise more easily the extent and position of the tumour to ensure that all, or as much as possible, of the tumour is safely removed during the operation.

Complicated cases can result in patients needing multiple scans and operations to remove tumours. Having this technology reduces the chances of a patient needing to return to theatre post-operatively.

Surgeons remove tumours surrounded by delicate brain tissue responsible for the functions such as speech and movement. The added precision provided by this technology – which gives surgeons a highly detailed picture - means more healthy tissue can be spared from damage during the removal of a tumour.

Interserve is carrying out the theatres build. Interserve Construction Director Phil Shaw said: “Through collaborative working and detailed planning the team were able to install the iMRI ahead of programme whilst maintaining the hospital operations and giving the patients the opportunity for earlier treatment.”

 

Read iMRI scanner arrives at hospital thanks to £2m donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal…

The Princess Royal was in Liverpool today (Tuesday, December 15) to officially open The Walton Centre’s newest building.

Her Royal Highness was unveiling a commemorative plaque at The Sid Watkins Building which is named after an eminent neurosurgeon who made revolutionary improvements to the safety of Formula 1.

A bust of Professor Sid Watkins, which honours his contribution to the world of sport and medicine, was also unveiled during the ceremony, which was attended by members of his family.

The Sid Watkins Building first accepted patients in January this year. At a cost of £29m and delivered ahead of time and nearly £1m under budget, it gives The Walton Centre, a specialist brain and spinal hospital, more space to treat patients.

It houses the hospital’s 30-bedded Complex Rehabilitation Unit, its Pain Management Programme which helps patients manage long-lasting pain, a specialist neuropsychology service, an education centre and lecture theatre, charity funded relatives’ accommodation, an outpatients department, offices for finance, human resources, IT, Procurement and more.

The visit marks the second time The Princess Royal has been to The Walton Centre. Her Royal Highness officially opened The Walton Centre’s main hospital building in 1998 when the Trust moved from the old Walton Hospital site on Rice Lane to a new building on Lower Lane in Fazakerley.

Chairman Ken Hoskisson said: “We are delighted to welcome back HRH The Princess Royal to The Walton Centre.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved with the opening of The Sid Watkins Building. Having a royal visit marks how significant that achievement is, but we’re also proud that the visit will also remember and honour the great man we named the building after.”

During the visit, Prof Watkins' widow Susan gave a speech, saying: “It’s a joy for my family, our closest friends, and for me to be here today for the Royal opening of the Sid Watkins Building.  In a sense my husband’s career has come full circle. For with the naming of this building, he continues to be associated with medical and surgical excellence, with pioneering research and treatments and with patient rehabilitation. His battlecry - there were never enough rehab facilities and now we have at least one more and what an outstanding example.

“I can’t tell you how impressed we are with what you have achieved here and with your humanity which you share with my husband. And your Royal Highness, we are indeed honoured that you have come here today to officially open The Sid Watkins Building, my husband would be delighted. On behalf of Sid, myself and all our family and friends, thank you.”

The Walton Centre has a history of naming wards after eminent neurosurgeons and neurologists.

It was following a suggestion from Aintree Circuit Club via its Vice President Professor Sir Drummond Bone and Chairman Michael Ashcroft that Professor Sid Watkins’ name came forward.

As he was fundamental to a number of pioneering projects, including the development of Royal London Hospital’s helicopter emergency service and responsible for radical improvements to safety in Formula 1, he was a fitting choice.

Professor Sid Watkins was born in Liverpool, graduated from Liverpool University and had a long and distinguished career in neurosurgery. His work continues to deliver safety benefits today not only in Formula 1 but in other sports such as horse trials.

To create a lasting legacy for such an outstanding individual, The Walton Centre has launched The Sid Watkins Fund to support innovation in the field of neurological health care.

 

Read The Princess Royal opens The Walton Centre's newest building…

The winners of the 2015 HSJ Awards were announced on 18 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards, is the largest celebration of healthcare excellence in the UK, highlighting the most innovative and successful people and projects in the sector.

The awards were created in 1981 to recognise, on a national platform, the projects and initiatives that deliver healthcare excellence and innovation. By shining a spotlight on cutting-edge innovations and best practice, the awards give impetus to improving the quality of health care in the UK.

After review by esteemed judging panels, made up of senior and influential figures from the health sector, The Walton Centre Foundation Trust won in recognition of their outstanding work.

From the judges:

The winner has an inspiring approach to coordinating specialist rehabilitation across multiple providers. The judges were impressed that the project is based on patient needs and showed impressive outcomes for very vulnerable group of patients.

Alastair McLellan, Editor, HSJ, said:

“The entries to this year’s HSJ Awards grew by 20% with the 23 categories receiving an average 70 entries each. There is not a similar healthcare awards the world over which is so fiercely contested. Now, more than ever, we must work harder to encourage, recognise and celebrate excellence in the NHS. The service has chosen the HSJ Awards as the vehicle for this mission. We are very proud of that and of all our shortlisted and winning entrants”.

Now in its 34^rthyear, the 2015 event saw a record number of entries, with over 600 different organisations entering.

The full list of winners can be found below.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

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.

For more information please visit: http://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/

About HSJ 

HSJ is the only title to cover all aspects of publicly funded healthcare, providing news, analysis, best practice information and advice from the most powerful people in health, for the most powerful people in health.

The HSJ audience is formed of healthcare leaders from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds and both public and private sectors.

HSJ unites healthcare leaders with their peers through print, online, mobile, HSJ TV, social media and face to face at awards ceremonies, conferences and bespoke events.

About EMAP

EMAP is a content, subscription & networking business. We connect influential people & organisations to a high-value network of decision-makers, data and ideas through our industry-leading portfolio of brands including Retail Week, Health Service Journal, MEED, Architects' Journal and Drapers. www.emap.com

Full list of winners:

 

 

table of categories

Category	HSJ Style
Acute Sector Innovation	University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust
Acute, Community and/or Primary Care Services Redesign	The Dudley Group Foundation Trust
Board Leadership	Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust
CCG Commissioning for Carers	Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group, East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group & Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group
Chief Executive of the Year	Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation Trust
Clinical Commissioning Group of the Year	Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group
Clinical Leader of the Year	Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust
Clinical Research Impact	Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust
Compassionate Patient Care	South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Enhancing Care by Sharing Data and Information	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust
Improved Partnerships between Health and Local Government	Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group
Improving Care with Technology	Portsmouth Hospitals Trust
Improving Environmental and Social Sustainability	University Hospitals Bristol Foundation Trust
Improving Outcomes through Learning and Development	Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Innovation in Mental Health	Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team at Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust and Partners
Most Effective Adoption and Diffusion of Best Practice	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust
Patient Safety	West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust
Primary Care Innovation	Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and Wellbeing Enterprises CIC
Provider Trust of the Year	Birmingham Children's Hospital Foundation Trust
Rising Star	Royal Devon and Exeter Trust
Specialised Services Redesign	The Walton Centre Foundation Trust
Staff Engagement	East London Foundation Trust
Using Technology to Improve Efficiency	Modality Partnership
Workforce	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust

Read Walton Centre wins prestigious HSJ Award for its specialist rehab service…

A 'home from home' for relatives of critically ill patients at Liverpool's brain hospital opens its doors this week.

The new accommodation has been built after a two-year fundraising campaign by The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

Fundraising began after Liverpool FC legend David Fairclough suggested to consultant neurosurgeon Mr Paul May that they organise a charity ball,  in memory of David's wife Jan who died from a brain aneurysm in 2011.

David and his children Tom and Sophie championed the Home from Home Appeal, which gained the support of dozens of families, past and present patients, companies and charitable trusts.

The Faircloughs were among the guests at a thank you event for major donors and supporters, held in the newly complete Home from Home in the hospital's new Sid Watkins Building.

David said: "When we started fundraising, the target of £500,000 seemed such a long way off - and here we are in the finished Home from Home. It is extremely emotional for us all."

Tom Fairclough added: "It is incredible to see the accommodation now ready for families and to think that people will benefit from what we have done; it has been great to be part of it."

His sister Sophie said: "It is a great legacy for my mum and so appropriate, because mum was so active in the local community, always volunteering and fundraising at our school and helping at our sports clubs. She would have approved that we have focussed on doing something so worthwhile." 

Huge support for the appeal also came from the family and friends of 19 year old Leah Davies from Lowton near Warrington. Leah died after a road accident in 2012 and her family launched the Love Leah Appeal, raising £60,000 for the Home from Home through numerous events and challenges.

Her father Andy Davies said: "The Home from Home project was so important to us as a family and we feel proud that Leah's legacy will carry on through the fundraising that family and friends have contributed.

“It has been such an amazing appeal bringing many people together to help create such a fabulous facility that will benefit so many other families in times of need. It's difficult to put into words the pride that we feel towards everyone who has helped this become a reality.”

The Walton Centre's Chair Ken Hoskisson and Chief Executive Chris Harrop thanked everyone who had supported the appeal in any way.

Mr Hoskisson said: "This was our Trust's first ever fundraising campaign and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of hundreds of people who have organised and attended events or made donations over the last two and a bit years.

"Thanks to this amazing support, we have been able to build high quality accommodation for families, so that we can give them somewhere to stay and take away some of the practical worry of being near loved ones when they are critically ill in our care."

Fundraising for the Home from Home will continue, so that the accommodation can be provided free of charge to families from outside the area, for the first few nights after a relative has been admitted to Critical Care.

 

Read New ‘home from home’ opens at The Walton Centre…

A neurosurgeon from Liverpool who was at the forefront of Formula 1 safety for more than 30 years, has been given a permanent tribute in the naming of a new Merseyside hospital building. 

At the invitation of F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, Professor Sid Watkins expanded on safety improvements begun by motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart so that today, death at an F1 circuit has been all but eliminated.  

Professor Watkins has now been recognised by specialist neuroscience hospital The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, with the naming of the Sid Watkins Building. The new three-storey building which will open in January 2015, will house the Trust’s complex rehabilitation unit; pain management programme and medical training facilities; and Mersey Care’s brain injuries unit.

The naming has been welcomed by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, who said: “Professor Sid Watkins was one of the greatest men of medicine that I have ever encountered.  His dedication to constantly finding new ways of doing things, to give people another chance to enjoy life, was a huge asset to both the world of medicine and to those who were fortunate enough to have his help and talent to provide life. 

“Professor Watkins’ contribution to saving the lives of many people in motorsport will never be forgotten and it’s absolutely appropriate that this new development will assist in ensuring that Professor Sid Watkins will be remembered forever, by the naming of this excellent facility in his honour.”

Mrs Susan Watkins said: “My husband would have been proud to know that his name has been attached to this rehabilitation facility, both its calibre and scope reflect his own attitudes to patient care, and his concern for the ongoing needs of those who suffer from neurological diseases and injuries requiring long-term treatment.   In this way it is a reflection of his life's work and, in a sense, brings him home to his roots in Liverpool.”

Professor Sid Watkins was an innovative surgeon who pioneered several frontiers in his specialty, including brain and spine stimulation, the surgery of pain and Parkinson's disease, as well as trauma. 

He was also fundamental to the development of the Royal London Hospital's helicopter emergency service and the first emergency brain scanning unit, both of which were subsequently mirrored at other major hospitals.

In parallel with his prodigious medical career was his work in Formula 1 where he radically improved not only the safety of the sport but also established methods by which sport around the world tackles risk.  He did so by working with individuals from various disciplines and by a sustained effort over several decades. 

Outside Formula 1 his work continues to deliver safety benefits in sporting activities as wide ranging as horse trials and rally car events, and his leadership in safety research has ultimately led to changes in the design of all cars.

The neurosurgeon was a close friend of the three-times F1 World Champion, Aytron Senna. Following Senna's death in 1994, Professor Watkins was appointed Chairman of the FIA Expert Advisory Safety Committee and ultimately became President of the FIA Institute of Motor Sport Safety, a role that allowed him to guide research in the design of racing cars and circuits as well as drivers' equipment - among other innovations - all with the aim of improving safety. 

He initiated trackside medical care at every F1 race and in testing, along with providing state-of-the-art medical buildings and equipment. In addition, a corp of medical and surgical experts were incorporated into Watkins’ safety concept, so that injured drivers, circuit personnel and even spectators now receive the best possible medical care at circuits around the globe.

The Walton Centre’s Chief Executive Chris Harrop said: “The idea to name this building after Professor Watkins has the full support of our doctors and I am delighted that Mrs Susan Watkins, has allowed us to recognise her husband in this way.

“He is a legendary figure and inspirational to doctors here and around the world. It is very fitting that our new building is providing fabulous facilities for patients recovering from brain injuries and illness; and for training junior doctors aspiring to be the next Professor Watkins.”

In association with the naming of the new building the hospital has also launched a 'Sid Watkins Fund' to support innovation and enhancements in the diagnosis, treatment and care of neurological injuries and illnesses.

Professor Sid Watkins - key dates:

Born: 6 September 1928 in Liverpool

1952 - Graduated from Liverpool University

1978 – Bernie Ecclestone offered him the job as F1 race doctor

1981 – Elected president of F1 medical commission

1992 – He was a founding member of Brain and Spine Foundation

1994 – Appointed Chairman of FIA Expert Advisory Safety Committee

1994 – Performed lifesaving trackside surgery on Mikka Hakkinen

2002 – Awarded the OBE

2004 – Became president of the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety

2005 – Stepped down from various FIA medical positions

2011 – Stepped down as head of FIA Institute

12 September 2012 – Professor Sid Watkins died

 

The Sid Watkins Building has been built by Interserve, an international support services and construction group.

 

Read Hospital building named after F1’s Prof Sid Watkins…

Specialist neuroscience hospital The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the coveted Investors in People Gold standard making it one of just five NHS organisations to earn the status.

It is hoped the award – the UK's leading accreditation for people management – will help attract the brightest and best staff to the Trust which has doubled the number of staff to 1,200 in the last seven years.

Director of Workforce Mike Gibney said: “This prestigious award is an acknowledgement that, as a Trust, we are exhibiting many of the characteristics of world class people management in areas such as leadership, personal development and staff engagement.

“To be recognised with an IIP Gold standard award is a fantastic achievement and is testimony to the hard work and effort that staff in all areas of the organisation have put into this over years, not just in recent weeks.”

The Trust also successfully maintained the IIP’s Health and Wellbeing Award, which recognises strong commitment to supporting the welfare of staff.

Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate The Walton Centre on their Gold standard. Such a high level of accreditation is the sign of great people management practice, and demonstrates a commitment to staff development and shows an organisation committed to being the very best it can be.”

 

Read The Walton Centre strikes Gold with Investors In People recognition…

Coronation Street star Ben Price who plays brain injury suffering character Nick Tilsley, officially opened The Walton Centre’s fourth MRI scanner which will improve patient care in one of the UK’s busiest neuroradiology departments.

Ben, whose character Nick suffered a horrific brain injury after a car crash, visited the specialist neuroscience hospital on Monday 28^th April, to cut a ribbon on the state-of-the-art MRI scanner that will improve the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and reduce waiting times for patients.

He said: “It has been extraordinary. If anything ever happened to me I would want to be here at The Walton Centre and in one of the best hospitals in the UK.

“Having the best equipment and staff is essential for people with brain injuries. It really is life and death and somewhere like The Walton Centre with its amazing facilities is what can make the difference.”

The Walton Centre’s Neuroradiology Department is already one of the busiest in the country and last year staff carried out about 14,000 MRIs and 7,000 CT scans.

Thanks to the new scanner, the Neuroradiology Department will be able to treat a steadily increasing number of patients.

The scanner, provided by GE Medical Systems, has a wider bore, meaning patients do not feel as tightly enclosed while undergoing an MRI scan.

Clinical Director of Neuroradiology Dr Sacha Niven said: “The addition of a fourth MRI scanner will provide sufficient scanning hours to meet the increasing demand from the neurology, neurosurgery and pain services.

”This new piece of equipment will mean that patients can be seen more quickly and the Trust can provide a full complement of MRI imaging to ensure the best levels of diagnosis and treatments.”

The new scanner, housed in an extension to the front of the hospital, was the final part of an £14 million programme of expansion and refurbishment which also included the new Chavasse Ward; an expanded Jefferson Ward; and a sixth operating theatre.

The investment programme was carried out over the last two years by contractor Kier; architect Gilling Dod and project manager Turner & Townsend.

Ben Price is a patron of brain injury charity Headway Preston & Chorley, a local branch of the national charity that supports people affected by brain injury. He sought advice from the organisation and from The Walton Centre’s Clinical Director for Neurosurgery Paul May, to accurately portray his character’s extensive injuries and gruelling rehabilitation.

Headway provides an Acute Trauma Support Nurse at the Trust who acts a link between services, supports patients and their families and helps them to improve their quality of life.

 

Read Soap star unveils state-of-the-art scanner…