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What is your job role?

As a specialist research physiotherapist at The Neurosciences Research Centre (NRC), I have the privilege of working alongside an incredible team, including our principal investigator Dr Rhys Davies and Huntington’s Disease (HD) consultant Dr Sundus Alusi, supported by Research Facilitator Jenni Burns. Together, we conduct the ENROLL-HD Registry Clinic, which is the world’s largest observational study focused on Huntington’s Disease (HD).

In addition to this, I contribute as a clinical rater for the Merz Pattern Spasticity study and serve as a sub-investigator, helping to recruit HD patients for various research initiatives, including the HEALTHE-RND project. This multinational effort is dedicated to creating tailored Quality of Life assessments and eHealth models for rare neurological conditions. My role is driven by a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by HD, fostering understanding and support within this community.

 

What made you choose to do the job you are in?

My choice to work in this field is rooted in a deep passion for improving care and treatments for Huntington’s Disease and other rare neurological conditions. After completing my PhD on the illness narratives of people with HD, I gained invaluable insights into how clinicians can better support patients and their families. This understanding comes from nearly two decades of experience working with the HD community in Merseyside and the north west of England.

The Walton Centre stands out as the UK’s specialist hospital Trust dedicated to inclusive neurology and neurosurgery, fostering innovation in the neuroscience field. I found a perfect alignment here, as the organization champions personal growth and supports my career development. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities provided by The Walton Centre Charity and the NRC, particularly under the mentorship of Dr. Rhys Davies and Gemma Nanson. Together, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the communities we serve.

 

What is your favourite part of the job?

The favourite part of my job is the privilege of bridging my clinical experience with translational research. As an allied health professional, I value the opportunity to elevate our representation in research, and I’m grateful to be part of the NRC, where I can practice in this vital setting.

What truly brings me joy is collaborating with a small, dedicated team focused on improving patient care and research for those affected by Huntington’s Disease. Together, we share a common goal, and that sense of purpose is incredibly fulfilling.

I also have the chance to work with colleagues nationally and internationally, providing specialist training for the Huntington Disease Association Charity in England and Wales. I also help develop educational and training resources that promote the clinical guidelines established by our specialist group through the European Huntington’s Disease Network (EHDN), where I lead the workstream for HD physiotherapy working group in residential care settings.

 

What’s the most rewarding experience you have had in your role?

The most rewarding experience in my role comes at the end of each patient consultation, when individuals and their families express their gratitude for the work we do. One recent moment particularly stands out: a family member approached me and said, “Please don’t stop with what you’re doing. Thank you for helping us today and for the future.” Moments like these reaffirm the impact of our work and remind me that we are making a difference in people’s lives.

 

What is the best advice you have received at work?

The best advice I’ve received earlier in my career, came from a colleague who said, “Listen to your patients, and you will learn a lot.” This insight has stayed with me throughout the years, reinforcing my belief that our patients are our greatest teachers. Their experiences and stories guide us, reminding us of the profound effect we can have when we truly listen.

 

What/who is your biggest motivator at work?

My patients, they are at the heart of everything that I do.

 

What is on your bucket list for this year?

As 2024 comes to a close, I’m thrilled to have completed the Liverpool Half Marathon with my partner, running side by side and motivating each other to reach the finish line. Looking ahead to 2025, we really hope to visit Japan, a long-standing dream on our travel bucket list.

 

Read Spotlight on... Dr Paul Carreon, Specialist Research Physiotherapist…

A patient treated at The Walton Centre for a brain tumour the size of a small orange is calling for more awareness of subtle symptoms that could be associated with a brain tumour.

In June 2024, 41-year-old Nikki Bennett from Abergele North Wales woke up with a headache and a puffy eye. Attending her local A&E, preliminary tests didn’t show anything, but clinicians later ordered a CT scan, which revealed a 6cm x 5cm mass in the front left of her brain.

Nikki was quickly referred to The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, where within days of the discovery she was booked in for emergency surgery.

Nikki said: “I was surprised when they initially told me, but very quickly I was on autopilot, finding out what the next steps were and getting the ball rolling. There was no way I was letting this mass get the better of me. Other than the little headache in my temple and my eye lid looking different, I would’ve had no idea I had a brain tumour.

“I remember the team at The Walton Centre were very surprised that, with the size of the mass, I was still going to the gym and driving and that I hadn’t suffered a seizure. My surgeon was very specific that I was not to continue with strenuous activity, as a seizure could be fatal. This news was a big shock to us, but we knew it had to be taken seriously.”

After the tumour was successfully removed, Nikki recovered on Cairns Ward, where she went from strength to strength.

After 10 days at home, Nikki began to feel the headache again. She called the neuro-oncology specialist clinical nursing team, who told her to return to the hospital immediately. After further investigations, she was readmitted to intensive care, with what turned out to be meningitis.

Nikki continued: “The care I received both times I stayed at The Walton Centre were exemplary. The clinical team did everything they could to bring me back to health. I am extremely grateful to The Walton Centre and the team’s quick work in removing the brain tumour. Unusually, I felt incredible after the surgery. I felt like I could’ve cartwheeled out of the hospital I felt that good! I can’t thank them enough for looking after me so well.

“Having this high level of care made me think about others who may not have the same experience. That’s why I think it’s so important to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms, and the work the team at The Walton Centre do to speed up the process for cancer patients.”

Over the last 18 months, the neuro-oncology team at The Walton Centre have been developing an improved pathway for brain tumour patients in Cheshire, Merseyside and the Isle of Man, alongside the Acute Oncology Nursing Team at Whiston Hospital. It has been rolled out to seven Trusts, with work to embed this pathway in other areas, including North Wales, continuing.

Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Lead for neuro-oncology Professor Andrew Brodbelt said: “Introducing the brain tumour pathway in Cheshire and Merseyside has led to more patients getting the right scans, sooner, and getting patients home rather than waiting in hospital or overflowing emergency departments. It allows us to treat them here at The Walton Centre quicker. Patients are also reporting better local support.

“It’s meaning patients are getting the best chance possible when faced with a brain tumour. We’re keen to push the pathway further and get it to as many areas The Walton Centre serves as possible – that includes North Wales.”

Liam, Nikki’s husband, stayed in our charity-funded Home from Home relatives’ accommodation while she was receiving life-saving treatment. Inspired by this and the care Nikki received, he’s hoping to raise over £5,000 for the hospital next year.

He said: “Nikki wouldn’t be here today if not for their excellent care and dedication. It’s a small gesture, but I had to do something to say thank you.”

You can read more about Liam’s fundraising challenge on our charity website: https://www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/fundraisers/zero-to-hero-charity-challenge-

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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.

Read Brain tumour patient calls for greater awareness of symptoms to improve treatment pathway…

Helen Keen, 61, from Atherton in Manchester has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for the last nine years, but believes she’s been experiencing symptoms for much longer.

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, other symptoms include increased sensitivity to pain, muscle stiffness, fatigue, problems with mental processes known as "fibro-fog", and feelings of frustration, worry or low mood. These symptoms are changeable and can suddenly improve or get worse with little warning.

Helen said: “15 years ago I was having a biopsy for a suspected cancerous ulcer, I struggled to come round from the anaesthetic. In the years after that I began to experience pain and other symptoms.

“Shortly afterwards, I was diagnosed officially with Fibromyalgia, and honestly that was such a relief in itself! Just giving it a name made a huge difference.”

Helen was experiencing widespread pain and exhaustion, which was having a serious impact on her life. After researching options, her GP referred her to The Walton Centre’s Pain Management Programme (PMP) – one of the largest services of its kind in the UK.

Helen continued: “I used to wake up so tired, and the pain was ever-present. At one point I thought I was dying it was that bad, it did feel quite hopeless. But once I started attending PMP I realised there were ways to live happily with my condition.

“The Pain Management Programme has given me a new set of tools to help manage my Fibromyalgia. Coping mechanisms, stretching and mindfulness have all helped me manage the pain and fatigue.

“I’m going from strength to strength and when I look back at how far I’ve come, I’m amazed. I’m extremely grateful for PMP and all the help they have given me to essentially get my life back on track.”

For more information on The Walton Centre’s Pain Management Programme, head to the website: Pain Management Programme

You can also watch Helen being interviewed by Gardener’s World presenter Adam Frost, who also has Fibromyalgia, for BBC Morning Live: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00246wx

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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 Pain Management Programme has given me a new set of tools to help manage my Fibromyalgia”…

SAS doctors (specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors) are experienced and senior doctors in permanent posts. They have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in their relevant specialty. To mark SAS Week, we spoke to Dr Leela Reddy... 

I am an Associate Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine and SAS Tutor/Lead at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust. As a senior clinician, I have both clinical responsibilities and other non-clinical roles.

I work autonomously and also work in teams to improve patient care.

The Walton Centre has provided me with different opportunities both in clinical and non-clinical roles. I am a member in the Clinical Audit Group, Medical Education Group and SAS Doctors representative in our Local Negotiating Team. As a representative of this group of clinicians in our Local Negotiating Team, I work to address educational needs, career progression and liaise with the NHS England North West team to support SAS Doctors.

Our Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN) values my input and gives me opportunities to work with clinical management groups and operational committee teams.

I am an educator and trainer in my role too. I am an Audit Lead in our department, and I am actively involved in research at The Walton Centre. As an SAS Tutor/Lead, I have helped to arrange several courses for SAS Doctors and Locally Employed Doctors in The Walton Centre, through the NHS England SAS development fund to improve their educational needs and develop in their career paths.

The Walton Centre has supported me in all these opportunities to develop leadership and education skills, which in turn benefits patient care. I am proud to be an SAS Doctor, and grateful to my colleagues, our department and all the teams that support and recognise my clinical and leadership roles. I hope we will see more success stories with the support of the entire team in The Walton Centre.

 

Read Specialist and Associate Specialist (SAS) Awareness Week…

The Walton Centre is delighted to have won an NHS Parliamentary Awards for its work with virtual reality in neurosurgical training and education.

The NHS Parliamentary Awards were created in 2018 to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contribution of staff, volunteers and others working in the health and care sector. In the first stage of the awards, MPs nominated healthcare teams and individuals in their local area to highlight their exceptional commitment and achievements working in and with the NHS.

318 MPs across England put forward 918 nominations – a far greater number than in any previous year. The Walton Centre thanks Dan Carden MP for nominating the Trust to recognise their work in training the next generation of surgeons.

There were ten award categories this year which cover innovation and exceptional care right across the breadth of healthcare services.

The Walton Centre won in the Excellence in Education and Training category for its work with the Neuro VR machine.

Virtual reality has led to new and exciting discoveries across many areas of life, including medicine. The Walton Centre is leading the way in the use of VR in neurosurgery with the Neuro VR simulator – the UK’s only such piece of equipment, and one of only 30 in the world.

The Neuro VR, generously funded by The Walton Centre Charity, enables experienced surgeons to develop the latest techniques, taking their skills even further, and allow trainee surgeons to practice safely, yet in a realistic environment.

It is the most advanced neurosurgical simulator training in the world, using high-fidelity images, haptic feedback and both 3d and 2d applications.

Mr Nick Carleton-Bland, Consultant Neurosurgeon and lead in medical education, said: “The installation of the simulator at the UK’s only specialist Trust for neuroscience has allowed The Walton Centre to become a national hub for simulation-based training in neurosurgery, benefiting patients across the country and changing the future of neurosurgery.

“Since its installation, thanks to funding from The Walton Centre Charity, the Neuro VR has been a vital part of training for both medical students, neurosurgical registrars at The Walton Centre and national trainees.

“Through our experience and outreach, we want to lead the way and motivate other centres to follow up and invest in the same kind of training and research, improving the consistency of neurosurgical training and patient benefit, providing a better understanding of neurosurgery and even better patient outcomes.

"We were delighted to be recognised by Dan Carden MP for our work in this area, and the panel of judges to win the national award for education and training."

 

Read Specialist neuroscience Trust wins NHS Parliamentary Award…

As part of Organ Donation Week in late September, The Walton Centre took part in the Race for Recipients.

National figures show that The Walton Centre is regularly one of the top 20 centres for organ donation, contributing to the national effort to save or improve the lives of people desperately in need of a transplant in the UK.

This year staff took part in Race for Recipients which is a challenge to see how many kms they could walk/run as a team throughout Organ Donation Week, to help raise awareness of the incredible gift of organ donation, and to encourage people to confirm their decision on the Register.

Through some amazing staff efforts running, walking, cycling, swimming, rowing and other distance exercise - including a static bike in our Intensive Care Unit, Team Walton finished top of the leaderboard in the region, and second - out of over 180 centres - nationally!

A great effort to raise awareness of a really important subject.

Read The Walton Centre finishes top in the region in the race for recipients…

Today (Wednesday 25 September) is World Pharmacist Day, a day to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions of our pharmacists across The Walton Centre, Liverpool University Teaching Hospitals and Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Every day, our Pharmacists play a vital role in delivering a professional clinical service to our patients and staff, ensuring that medications are used safely and effectively.

Our pharmacists go beyond dispensing and supply of medicines. They are trusted experts, offering valuable advice, collaborating with clinical teams, and ensuring safe and timely access to medications for our inpatients and at discharge.

They also advise on evidence-based treatment options and work with clinical teams to ensure where two medicines do the same, the most cost effective choice is used. The work of the pharmacists this year is expected to save £1.6m in the hospitals medicines expenditure.

Other roles include driving the medication safety agenda, supporting the development of medicines guidance, delivering a comprehensive training and education programme and ensuring a safe manufacturing service through our Aseptic and Radiopharmacy units and much more!

The world of pharmacy is constantly evolving, our pharmacists stay ahead of the latest advancements, adapting swiftly to new treatments, technology and regulations, all while keeping the needs of our patients at the forefront of everything they do.

Thank you to our team of pharmacists for their continued dedication and professionalism. You make a real difference, and today we celebrate the vital role you play in our patients' lives and in supporting our healthcare teams.

Happy World Pharmacist Day 2024!

Read World Pharmacist Day 2024…