Newcastle’s ‘excellent’ care for children with brain tumours
NEWCASTLE has “excellent” care for children with brain tumours – according to experts who reviewed services as part of an innovative new network.
The city’s hospital trust and Newcastle University have been jointly named as one of six centres for excellence nationwide by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) – set up in honour of the late former minister.
The Newcastle organisations were praised across the board for their work – including having “excellent imaging services, comprehensive psychological care, and great education services with extensive school collaboration”.
The TJBCM network comprises 15 brain tumour centres around the country, of which six are “excellent” including in Newcastle.
The care for those with “late effects” was also highlighted, along with play therapy and clinical trial opportunities.
Simon Bailey, Professor of Paediatric Neuro-oncology and a consultant at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, said: “It’s a fantastic honour for the dedicated and passionate team and hospital to receive this status and it will mean so much to our wonderful
patients and their families across the region knowing that they are receiving care in a centre of excellence.
“The recognition that our team and the wider hospital provide such a high standard of care will ensure we redouble our efforts to continue to look at ways we can further build our service to benefit those going through their brain or spinal tumour journey.
“Currently around 30 children in the North East and North Cumbria are diagnosed with brain tumours every year and we look forward to supporting the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer
Mission in their programme.”
Prof Steve Clifford, who directs the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, said the partnership between hospitals and university was “internationally leading”.
He added: “This unique collaboration [with TJBCM] allows us to combine cuttingedge research with our clinical centre and leading roles in international clinical trials, enabling us to drive novel discoveries into clinical practice, improving the standards of care and outlook for children with brain tumours.”
Dr Stephen Lowis, who led the
review process, said “In every team in every city, we found remarkable examples of exceptional and compassionate care.
“This initiative will support all centres across the UK to develop their services, through national collaboration and sharing of examples of excellence.”
The new network is described as the “first stage in a national effort” to improve treatment, care and research for children with brain tumours.
TJBCM will use these findings to launch new programmes around the country.