T.Y. Nelson Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery
The Children's Hospital at Westmead is the largest children's hospital in New South Wales. T.Y. Nelson Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery provides specialist services to children with neurological and neurosurgical disorders.
Neurology service
Staff
The Neurology service is staffed by 8 consultants
The junior staff includes
- 3 fellows: training in neurology as follows
- Clinical Fellow
- George Gregan Epilepsy fellow
- Neurogenetics Fellow
- 2 Registrars and 1 Resident.
In addition our Clinical Nurse Consultants/specialists
We welcome overseas fellows on a frequent basis in neurology.
Neurology service provision
The Neurology department provides inpatient care for all acute and chronic neurological disorders. There is a 24 hour on call service for Neurology (provided by fellow 1st on-call and consultant 2nd on-call). In-patient care is provided mainly on the Commercial Travellers Ward on Level 3 of the Children's Hospital. This is a 30-bedded Ward dedicated to children with neurological and neurosurgical disorders. This includes beds devoted to Telemetry and Epilepsy monitoring.
The T.Y. Nelson Department also provides outpatient care for children with all neurological disorders. In addition, there are sub-speciality interests as follows:
- Complex Epilepsy including epilepsy surgery (Dr Deepak Gill)
- Neuromuscular Disorders (Prof. Kathryn North and Dr. Richard Webster)
- Neuropathy (Prof. Robert Ouvrier)
- Tic Disorders and Movement disorders (Dr. Russell Dale)
- Neuro-inflammation and autoimmunity (Dr Russell Dale)
- Cognitive and Language Disorders (Dr. Richard Webster)
Neurosurgery service
Staff
The Neurosurgery service is provided by 3 Consultant Neurosurgeons
The junior staff includes
We welcome overseas fellows on a frequent basis in neurosurgery.
Neurosurgical service provision
The Neurosurgery department provides a complete paediatric neurosurgical service including (1) surgery for spasticity (baclofen pumps and selective dorsal rhizotomy) with a close working relationship with the Rehabilitation Service (2) a very experienced and complete surgical epilepsy program with Neurology (3) complex craniofacial surgery with the Craniofacial Unit (4) surgery for complex base of skull lesions (5) complex spinal surgery including transoral procedures (6) a complete neurovascular service including endovascular procedures and revascularization surgery (7) endoscopic procedures for hydrocephalus (8) image guidance including "pin less" stereotaxy for infants with brain tumours and hydrocephalus (9) a complete Neuro-oncology service for the management of brain tumours.
The Neurosurgery department has active research into hydrocephalus with a clinical study with the Clinical Excellence Commission into shunt infection rates as part of the Safer Systems - Saving Lives initiative of NSW Health. The department also has a very active laboratory research program looking at aquaporin role in the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus.
The Neurosurgery department is an approved training hospital (RACS and NSA) for paediatric neurosurgical trainees and they are appointed to the position by the RACS for 6 monthly rotations as part of their training.
Associated Services
Intensive care
We are grateful for strong support from the 30-bedded intensive care unit. The intensive care unit supports us in the management of sick children with neurological and neurosurgical disorders.
Neurophysiology
There is a strong electrophysiology presence within the TY Nelson Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery. There are 4 full-time Neurophysiology Technologists. The Department provides EEG, Ambulatory EEG and Video Telemetry EEG. Interpretation of EEG is provided by the Neurology Consultants. In addition visual evoked potentials, electromyography and nerve conduction studies are performed on a weekly basis or as required. The department provides training opportunities for neurophysiology technologists.
Neuro Imaging
There is a strong link between TY Nelson Department Neurology and Neurosurgery with Radiology. Radiology provides imaging with CT, MRI, SPECT, Angiography and interventional radiology. PET is also available on the Westmead Campus.
Other Medical Staff
The Neurology and Neurosurgery service provides consultation to the rest of the general and sub-speciality paediatric services. There is a strong link between Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Dietetics and Pharmacy.
Teaching
There is a strong emphasis on the formal and informal teaching for the junior staff. All junior staff has a weekly teaching program designed to give them core neurology skills during their term in neurology.
In addition, there are a number of educational opportunities in paediatrics and neurology including:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday lunchtime teaching for junior staff
- FRACP Monday evening teaching (and frequent bedside teaching in 3 months before clinical exam)
- Grand rounds (Thursday lunchtime)
- Adult neurology teaching (Wednesday afternoon)
- Adult movement disorders teaching and cases (Monday morning)
Research
We have a number of staff with primary or conjoint appointments with the University of Sydney. There is strong Neuroscience Research at the Children's Hospital Westmead. Research themes include:
Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Research
There is a strong laboratory and clinical research into the genetics of Neuromuscular disorders such as Congenital Myopathy and Muscular Dystrophy. For details see the Institute of Neuromuscular Research website: http://www.inmr.com.au/research.asp?id=2
In addition, there is strong research interest in Neurofibromatosis type 1. This Research is headed by the World expert Prof. Kathryn North.
Neuropathy Research
Prof. Robert Ouvrier is a World expert in childhood Neuropathy. There is strong ongoing clinical, genetic and treatment research occurring into the neuropathies of childhood. For further details see the website: http://www.inmr.com.au/research.asp?id=2
Hydrocephalus and the role of aquaporin (water) channels
Dr Brian Owler is undertaking laboratory based research into the role of aquaporin in the generation of hydrocephalus at the Children's Hospital Westmead research laboratories.
Genetics of Epilepsy
Dr. Deepak Gill has a large collaborative study investigating the genetics of childhood epilepsy (with Melbourne University). In addition, there are a number of clinical epilepsy and neurophysiology research projects established at CHW.
Cognition and Language
Dr. Richard Webster, in addition to his work at CHW, also works at the Children's Hospital Research Institute (CHERI) where he researches cognitive and language disorders of childhood.
Brain Inflammation and Autoimmunity
Dr. Russell Dale has a laboratory research group investigating the causes of brain inflammation and autoimmunity (such as brain demyelination and autoimmune movement disorders). Further details on the neuro-inflammation group can be found at www.inmr.com.au
Movement disorders
Dr Russell dale and Dr Elizabeth Fagan research the genetics of movement disorders (including channelopathies). There are also research projects into the role of autoimmunity in Tourette syndrome.
Contacts
For Medical Staff with specific interest in potential fellowships:
For General Enquiries contact: Scott Day at scottd@chw.edu.au
This document was updated on Monday, 21 September 2009.
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