Neurological Care
The Wessex Neurological Centre provides treatment for disorders affecting the brain, spine and nerves.
The centre serves a population of over three million people and treats patients from across the South, including the Channel Islands.
The central nervous system is highly complex and so are the diseases that affect it. We treat a wide range of conditions which require the skills of many different specialists.
Specialties include:
Neurology
Many diseases affecting the brain, spine, nerves or muscles will be managed by a neurologist. Some of the most common conditions include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.
However, there are a large number of other neurological symptoms and diseases treated by neurologists at the Wessex Neurological Centre.
Neurophysiology
The neurophysiology department carry out tests of the functioning of the nervous system.
Examples include electroencephalograms (EEGs) which measure brain electrical activity, and nerve conduction studies which can help to assess the functioning of some nerves.
Neuropsychology
The neuropsychology department helps patients who have problems with their memory, established brain diseases or injuries, to establish how this affects their psychological function.
Neuroradiology
The neuroradiology department perform all imaging of the nervous system. This includes x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and angiograms. They also perform some treatments particularly for neurovascular disorders such as aneurysms.
Neuroanaesthesia
The neuroanaesthesia team administer anaesthesia for neurosurgical operations. In addition to this, a group of specialist neuroanaesthetists with a special interest in the care of patients with brain disorders who are critically ill work in the the neurosciences intensive care unit (NICU).
Neurosciences intensive care unit (NICU)
Patients with disorders of the brain, spine or nerves who are critically ill or require the assistance of a ventilator for breathing are managed on this renowned specialist unit.
How Charity support is impacting the hospital
- With the purchase of a cortical stimulator, we now have a state-of-the-art piece of kit for brain surgery. There will be hundreds of patients who will benefit. It will be so beneficial to the neurological service.
- Equipment trolley and aids to rehabilitate patients faster in the neurological intensive care unit
- Toolkit for customisation and maintenance of wheelchairs in the neurosciences department.
- In 2022 we set up a £30,000 niggles and niceties campaign so staff could put forward ideas to benefit patients and staff. From this, we funded 45 radios to provide patient entertainment, fidget toys and mindfulness activities to help with rehabilitation, reclining chairs so loved ones can stay with patients, plus much more.
- Specialist training for staff.