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The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s held its’ first ever ‘green surgical list’ in a bid to improve sustainability. The theatre team looked at all aspects of practice in each patient’s journey through surgery in a day, and optimised elements where possible to reduce their carbon footprint.

Each case on the theatre list for the day was assessed for waste management and how different elements can be switched out for greener, more carbon neutral options.

One of the most important reductions in CO₂ emissions was switching to Total Intravenous Anaesthetic (TIVA), which can significantly reduce carbon output. Other elements such as reuseable surgical hats and gel pads for patient positioning were used. The teams also worked hard to ensure that patient experience remained the same or improved.

On the day, the procedures were carried out by Consultant Neurosurgeon Miss Deepti Bhargava. She said: “Now more than ever it’s important to consider the environment in everything we do. There are little things that we have implemented here that can make a huge impact on our carbon footprint, as well as bigger things like reuseable packs which can be cleaned and used again. It’s been great to see the teams all pull together around this worthwhile cause.”

On average, the team estimates that nearly 100KgCOE2 was saved over the day, a significant reduction when compared to national neurosurgical data.

Sustainability Lead Craig Stanton said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to carry out the first day of a greener theatre list this week. Each NHS Trust has to become net-zero for the care we control by 2040, so striking out now will make such a difference. Already we have learning on how to improve the pathways further and make The Walton Centre an even greener place for patients and do our bit for the environment.”  

This project also relates to staff cycling 120 miles alongside implant manufacturers Abbott UK to deliver spinal implants carbon neutrally in October 2023.

 

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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 celebrates first day of enhanced theatre practice to improve sustainability…

What is your job role?

I’m a trainee Advanced Critical Care Practitioner.

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

I chose this job for a few different reasons, to be honest. Firstly, because we work with critically ill patients and together with the Multidisciplinary Team, we can improve patient outcomes and that is something I am passionate about. I also love that within the Multidisciplinary Team each professional brings a wealth of knowledge and through collaborating and supporting each other we can foster an environment in which we can all grow.

Secondly, because it was a new challenge, I think for me personally it’s important to step out of my comfort zone to progress both professionally and personally. In addition, I knew the Advanced Critical Care Practitioners had a great team and felt confident I could progress in the supportive environment they had created. 

What is your favourite part of your job?

The best part of the job must be seeing the patients improve. Nothing beats seeing patients we have treated come back to Intensive Care Unit, listening to their journey and how much they have improved.

Tell me about the most rewarding experience you have had in your role.

I think it's difficult to pick one experience! But seeing junior members of the grow into confident and competent clinicians knowing you have contributed to a small part of their journey is incredibly rewarding. 

What’s the best advice you have received at work?

The best piece of advice I have received was from a university lecturer when I was an undergraduate, but it has stayed with me since then and it was 'you are capable of anything you want to achieve as long as you are prepared to work hard enough for it' and I think that is so true!  

What/who is your biggest motivator at work?

I think my biggest motivator is that health care is constantly evolving, and we need to adapt and learn to continually deliver the best care for our patients and that is a privilege. 

What is on your bucket list for this year?

My goals for the year are to complete my Advanced Critical Care Practitioner training and then to focus on maintaining a healthy work life balance! Which includes plenty of weekends away in our caravan hiking with our dog, spending time with family and friends, and trying to get stronger and fitter in the gym! 

 

Read Spotlight on... Sophie Leach, ACCP…

To highlight Rare Disease Day at The Walton Centre, we have asked Dr Michael Bonello, a Consultant Neurologist, some questions about neurogenetics and what The Walton Centre is doing to help people who have these specific disorders.

What is neurogenetics?

Neurogenetics is a branch of medicine that combines principles of genetics and neurology, focusing on the genetic underpinnings of neurological conditions. It aims to understand the genetic causes and mechanisms of these diseases to develop targeted treatments. In the context of rare diseases, neurogenetics plays a critical role in identifying specific genetic mutations that lead to rare neurological conditions. Modern advances in computing power have enabled faster diagnostic mechanisms, such as whole genome sequencing, which is now available on the NHS, speeding up the diagnostic journey and providing a better understanding of the pathophysiology of rare diseases. Recent advances have also expanded testing, proving crucial in gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of both rare and common diseases. Excitingly, genetics is expanding into the realm of disease treatments for previously incurable disorders.

 

What kind of neurogenetic disorders do you see in your clinic? Can you tell us about some of the rarest disorders out there?

At The Walton Centre, multiple clinics provide support for rare genetic disorders. The centre runs various subspecialty clinics where appropriate genetic investigations can be conducted. These include specialist clinics for movement disorders, neuromuscular conditions, epilepsy, and cognitive disorders. In the neurogenetics clinics run by Dr. Jenny Higgs (Genetics Consultant) and myself (Neurologist), we provide diagnostic support to patients who require genetic investigations. These patients include those with hereditary ataxia, spastic paraparesis, and genetic movement disorders, among others. The centre also runs specialized clinics for Huntington’s Disease (led by Dr. Alusi and Dr. Davies) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) (led by Dr. Dougan), providing disease-modifying treatments to eligible patients. Genetic treatments are on the horizon, and we are excited about potential new treatments in the pipeline for other rare genetic disorders, with the first disease-modifying treatment for Friedreich’s Ataxia recently approved by the FDA in the USA and currently being assessed by UK regulators.

What do we do at The Walton Centre to help people who have neurogenetic disorders? How does your clinic support patients?

The centre also offers medical support for patients with various debilitating rare disorders. Neurogenetic disorders can be associated with physical disability, and various types of complex treatments, such as EMG/US-guided botulinum toxin injections, are delivered in neuro-rehabilitation and movement disorders clinics. Eligible patients can pursue neurosurgical treatments like deep brain stimulation surgery, hoping to improve symptom control and quality of life.

The implications of receiving a genetic diagnosis affect not only the patients themselves but also their wider family members. Our team has close links with counselling services provided by the Liverpool Women’s genetic services to help support patients in understanding their conditions. We also have strong links with the NHS Northwest genomic labs and are actively involved in multidisciplinary meetings to integrate clinical and laboratory work. This helps interpret very complex results in clinical settings to provide the most appropriate diagnostic outcomes.

Neurogenetics is a constantly evolving medical field, with new advances constantly on the horizon, providing a challenging, complex, but rewarding branch of neurology.

 

Read Q&A with Consultant Neurologist Dr Michael Bonello to raise awareness on Rare Disease Day…

Top neurosurgeons at The Walton Centre have achieved the incredible milestone of 100 complex spinal operations using innovative robotic surgery. The surgical team passed the 100-mark this week, completing a spinal fusion, one of the procedures to use the technology at the specialist Trust.

The groundbreaking surgical robotic navigation system is one of the first of its kind to be used in the NHS, which the team began to use in October 2022. It allows surgeons to facilitate placement of spinal screws and interbody cages to an incredibly high level of precision. This enables patients to spend less time in theatre plus experience shorter recovery times.

The robot involves a rigid robotic arm, tracked and fully navigated by a camera, which is then programmed to follow a trajectory pre-planned by surgeons.

The system lends itself to minimally invasive procedures and can drastically improve accuracy in screw placement. This in turn can significantly reduce operating time, time spent in hospital and recovery times for spinal patients.

Chief Executive Officer Jan Ross said: “It cannot be understated how incredible an achievement this is, not only for patients, but for our staff too. In less than 18 months they have marked out the Trust as a leader in the UK in robotic spinal surgery, carrying out lifechanging procedures for our patients.

“I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made, and can’t wait to see the team innovate and enhance the service further for the benefit of patients across the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man.”

Consultant Spinal Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Complex Spine Mr Martin Wilby said: “We’ve made great strides in spinal robotic surgery here at The Walton Centre. The whole surgical team has got behind this groundbreaking technology because they can see the benefits for patients. We’ve now seen firsthand how this innovative approach can improve the outcomes for complex spinal patients. I’m incredibly proud of how we’ve reached this milestone, now on to the next 100.”

John Bowden, 77, from Prestatyn North Wales, had surgery on his spine last year using the robotic tech. He said: “My sciatica has been painful on and off for the last couple of years. The pain got to the point where I was struggling to walk, so I had to get it sorted. Coming to have surgery at The Walton Centre was a quick referral. I felt the back pain stop immediately after I woke up from the operation. The surgical team were incredible, and the nursing team were second to none. Since the surgery I’ve been able to do a lot more than before. I’m able to stay on my feet for longer, which helps when I’m with the grandkids! It feels like I’ve got those years back, it’s changed by life.”

You can also see the spinal robot in action in Episode six of the series Trauma Room One on My5 here: https://www.channel5.com/show/trauma-room-one/season-1/episode-6

Read Neurosurgical team hits 100 case milestone in robotic spinal surgery…

The Jan Fairclough Ball, held in memory of the wife of our Charity Patron David Fairclough, saw an amazing £60,000 raised towards the hospital's latest appeal, to fund an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine.

An OCT machine uses light waves to take cross-sectional images of the retina, which is the part of your eye that senses light and sends signals to your brain. The machine is so powerful that it can see through the different layers of your retina and capture detailed images of the structures inside.

Having an OCT machine on site would be a significant step forward for patients at The Walton Centre. It would provide more accurate diagnoses and better monitoring of eye conditions which are a part of many neurological conditions.

The 12th anniversary event, held at The Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, was hosted by TV presenter and radio broadcaster Steve Hothersall, with a welcome by the Fairclough family at the start of the evening, and a compelling presentation from Divisional Director of Neurology at The Walton Centre, Dr Anita Krishnan about the vital OCT machine.

Guests were treated to a delicious three course meal, during which they were able to bid in an on-line auction with lots including signed sporting memorabilia; as well as entertainment, fashion, food and sporting experiences. There was also the excitement and drama of a live auction after the dinner, expertly carried out by auctioneer Charles Hanson, a TV expert on BBC programmes including Bargain Hunt, Flog it and Antiques Road Trip. The evening ended with entertainment from the Shane Nolan Band, who brought a party atmosphere to the event.

Head of Fundraising Madeleine Fletcher said: “Thank you to everyone who made the Jan Fairclough Ball a success again this year. To the Fairclough family for their fantastic commitment to fundraising for The Walton Centre; our corporate partners A&B Engineering, Carpenters Group, Home Bargains and Philips UK – their support ensures we can maximise what is raised on the night.

“And, of course, thank you to all of our guests and supporters who attended and donated to this amazing campaign. With your help, our fantastic clinicians can enhance the service they provide for patients.”

For more information on the latest fundraising appeal, go to https://www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/Appeal/oct-appeal

 

Read Jan Fairclough Ball raises £60,000 for The Walton Centre Charity’s latest campaign…

Professionals from a number of different backgrounds gathered at The Walton Centre in November to celebrate ten years of the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN).

The CMRN, a collaboration of commissioning and provider partners, held a showcase event to highlight the different aspects of the network, with the theme ‘strengthening partnerships and collaborative working’.

A number of activities took place on the day, including a roadshow showcasing the work of the different teams, presentations and videos from recovering patients and interactive sessions.

The CMRN was set up ten years ago after it was recognised that by improving the trauma pathway in the region, a new collaborative pathway for patients with complex rehabilitation need, regardless of diagnosis, was required. A number of specialities are involved in the network, including medics, a range of therapists and nursing staff.

The CMRN is the first of its kind in England, providing a coordinated pathway of care from hospital to community, which can be accessed by patients at any point in their rehabilitation journey. The network is dedicated to specialist rehabilitation based on need, not diagnosis, following traumatic injury or illness.

During the event patients and staff with experience of the network shared stories and learning about how much the network has changed since it began. There were also interactive sessions, where visitors could experience activities such as art and animal-assisted therapy – both widely used in the network. 

Angie Harrison, CMRN Manager, said: ““It’s been fantastic to celebrate the network in this way! We hope that everyone who attended was able to take away something away from the event – be it an inspiring patient story or a way of working that can be applied to their area of work.

“The network is all about helping patients get the right treatment, rehabilitation at the right time and place, and ultimately as much independence as possible. Here’s to another ten years!”

Tony Newman, a patient, said of his rehabilitation journey: "From the minute I got there, it was amazing. All the staff were just fantastic. I knew I needed to be there. Everyone treated me with dignity. I couldn’t move at first, but we set goals and managed to hit them every two weeks. All the different departments referred me to the right community support. I’ve got a plan for my daily routine. I’m now able to walk with two walking sticks, still a little bit cautious, but I’m getting stronger every day.” 

For more information about the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network, go to https://www.cmrehabnetwork.nhs.uk/.

 

Read The Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network celebrates ten-year anniversary!…

During World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week we are celebrating our recent GAMSAS Level 3 accreditation, the Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation Scheme, and the first global accreditation scheme to focus on antimicrobial prescribing.

This accreditation is a testament to our organisation's commitment to antimicrobial stewardship and to our efforts to keep antimicrobials working for future patients. We would like to thank our staff, our patients, and our partners for their support in achieving this accreditation.

We are committed to continuing our work to improve antimicrobial stewardship and to protect the future of antibiotics.

 

Read Marking antimicrobial resistance awareness at The Walton Centre…

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s Pain Management Programme (PMP) has reached the incredible milestone of 40 years of service delivery. Since small beginnings in the sewing room of the old Walton Hospital in Fazakerley, the programme has delivered courses to thousands of patients with lifelong pain conditions, from chronic pain following injury, to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. In the last 20 years, the programme has seen over 15,000 patients.

Chronic pain affects 15.5 million people in England, 34% of the population, and is more common in areas of greater deprivation. Among young adults with chronic pain, the proportion with high impact pain rose from 21% to 32% between 2011 and 2017.

PMP Service Lead and Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Kerry Mathews said: “I’m so incredibly proud of our team and the amazing support they have provided to patients over the decades. From a handful of staff in the early 80s, to now – a 36-strong department comprising psychology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams is an incredible achievement.

“We serve a whole range of pain conditions in a very multi-disciplinary way, so that a number of aspects of a patient is considered and treated. There’s a wall in the break room filled with thank you cards from patients and their loved ones on how helpful they have found the coping mechanisms and support we give them. Long may it continue.”

The Programme offers a combination of therapies, including Psychological, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Lead Occupational Therapist John Tetlow has worked in PMP for over 20 years, he said: “I had my first experience of pain management during my time working on the neuro inpatient wards in 2003, but was successful in gaining a full-time post as a senior therapist in May 2007. The length of time I have worked here says a lot about how I feel about The Walton Centre.

“Living with chronic pain is very challenging for our patients, and helping them learn how to come to terms with and manage a long-term condition is not easy. We are patient, understanding and knowledgeable, and forming a trusting therapeutic relationship is important. Working with patients from initial assessment to six-month follow-up shows us how we support meaningful changes people make.”

Patients may not experience pain reduction, however compared to before PMP, patients report a 32% reduction in worrying thoughts about their pain symptoms, as well as a 48% improvement in confidence to self-manage their pain. Patients who complete the programme also demonstrate a 35% increase in physical ability afterwards.

Research Lead and Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Katie Herron said: “Whilst chronic pain can be difficult to treat medically and achieve pain reduction, the PMP can help people with chronic pain make improvements in how they experience pain and their quality of life. I regularly hear patients who have gone through one of the courses say that it has helped them to move forward positively and reach achievable goals”

Between 75-90% of patients make significant changes towards their quality of life goals. This includes activities such as getting back to a specific exercise, engaging more in a hobby, going on more outings with family and getting back into work or study.

Pain Specialist Physiotherapist Amy Abbott said: “In physiotherapy, what we are looking to achieve through psychologically informed approaches is to enable patients to reach their goals, allowing for a better quality of life. We consider the patients’ individual needs; helping them to make sense of the pain, improve movement quality, strength and endurance allowing patients greater confidence in returning to valued activity.

“This varied approach allows for patients to find something that works for them and facilitates confidence in trying new activities or reestablishing connection with previously enjoyed exercise. Patients feedback that they feel listened to, they feel physically stronger and more confident to trial new activity, they feel hopeful and excited for the future and newfound opportunities.”

After a car accident in 2001, Trust Governor Albert Weidemann received support from the PMP team. He said: “I can honestly say the team saved my life. They were professional and compassionate and equipped me with an understanding of my pain both physically and mentally.

“It was a matter of trial and error in finding the right coping strategies which finally worked for me. All their efforts enabled me to manage my pain and gave me back my life. 22 years on, I can say hand on heart I would not be where I am today had it not been for the Pain Management Team at The Walton Centre.”

For more information in the Pain Management Programme, go to: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.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 UK’s biggest pain management service celebrates 40 years of supporting people with chronic pain…