University Hospitals Sussex hosted the first annual neurosurgery network event, bringing together regional neurosurgical units to improve patient access and quality of care.
The event, held at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, brought together the South East Regional Neurosurgery Network, which includes Oxford University Hospitals, University Hospitals Southampton, and University Hospitals Sussex.
This is the first event of its kind in the UK, and welcomed all colleagues working within neurosurgical teams, including neurosurgeons, matrons, advanced clinical practitioners, therapists, operational managers, leaders from NHS system partners and commissioners.
Charlotte Hammerbeck-Ward, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Lead for Neurosurgery at UHSussex, said: “The whole crux of this event is the patient is at the centre of everything we’re trying to do.
“Our goal is to ensure that every patient, regardless of whether they live in Oxford, Southampton, or Brighton, receives the same high level of care. We want to eliminate any concerns about location affecting the treatments offered or the quality of conversations with healthcare providers. Everyone deserves the highest standard of care, no matter where they live.”
The network aims to foster collaboration among neurosurgical centres, encouraging the sharing of ideas and best practices to ensure high-quality care for all patients in the South East. The event featured discussions on complex neurosurgical rehabilitation, improving brain tumour pathways, and the use of critical care for elective patients.
Mr Aabir Chakraborty, Deputy Medical Director for Commissioning in NHS South East and Consultant Neurosurgeon at University Hospitals Southampton, said: “The idea of this network, is to get the three neurosurgical units in the region together, along with Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Specialised Commissioning who oversee the network, so we can learn from one another and transform services.”
Guests also toured the newly transformed neurosurgery unit in the Louisa Martindale Building, which boasts state-of-the-art, new facilities that are improving patient care.
The building was designed to maximise space and light and on the neurosurgery wards, all patients enjoy a floor-to-ceiling view of the south coast sea.
The new building’s spacious design, featuring wider corridors, open areas, and fewer patients per ward, has been invaluable. This environment reduces feelings of confinement and stress, significantly enhancing patient comfort.
Having been shown around the facilities in Brighton, Mr Chakraborty said: “I’m jealous. It’s an incredible building. It was wonderful that the team have shown us around. The spaces for the patients have been really well designed and are fit for the future.”
Sam Lee, Senior Quality and Safeguarding Manager for NHS England, said: “It’s an amazing facility. The views are fantastic and from a patient and staff point of view, it’s a really nice environment to work or be treated in as a patient.”
Ryan Bird, Lead Matron for Neurosciences at University Hospitals Southampton, said: “The facilities were very impressive. I was blown away by what you have here, the space, the view, how everything is centred around the patient and staff was very impressive.
“It’s important that we understand how patient care is delivered elsewhere. It challenges our assumption of what works best for our patients and makes us think outside the box and do things differently to better serve their needs.”