Neurology
The Neurology department at Derriford Hospital is the largest neurology unit in the peninsula. We offer a 24-hour on call and inpatient service so we can ensure all patients admitted with a neurological condition are assessed by a consultant neurologist.
We provide the largest range of sub-speciality clinics in the peninsula and are part of a Neuroscience Centre at Derriford, offering a wide range of tertiary services to support other hospitals in the region. Clinical care is complemented by an active research programme both in laboratory-based neurosciences and in clinical trials of new treatments. The department works closely with the regional neurosurgical, neuroradiology and neuro-oncology services which are also based at Derriford. This helps us provide integrated care.
The Acute Neurology and Stroke Unit is on Level 10 Merrivale ward with 12 beds on Hartor ward Level 9. We also look after patients with neurological illnesses throughout the hospital.
Inpatient Service
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All patients with a primary neurological illness are admitted directly under specialist neurology care.
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All patients who have had a stroke are admitted under the care of a specialist team.
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All patients with a stroke are considered for thrombolysis.
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Elective diagnostic procedures or treatments are carried out in the programmed investigation unit (PIU) on level 5.
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We have EEG monitoring and Video EEG telemetry available for the management of patients with epilepsy, either as an emergency or elective procedure.
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We run a daily TIA service and a GP urgent access service in the Acute Assessment Unit on level 6. This means that a person can often have their tests on the same day rather than having to stay in hospital for a short admission.
Outpatient Services
In addition to our outpatient clinics, held in the Outpatient Department at Derriford Hospital we also offer community clinics to try and make our service more convenient.
Our clinics cover all aspects of general neurology, and we host several regional neurology services and provide specialist clinics in cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, headache, motor-neurone disease, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, neuroinflammation, neuromuscular disease and rehabilitation.
Our UHP Clinical Neurology Team
Consultants (subspecialty interests)
Medical
Dr Ginette Crossingham (general neurology, stroke)
Dr Simon Edwards (general neurology, movement disorders)
Dr Joel Handley (general neurology, movement disorders)
vacant (neuromuscular disease, neurofibromatosis)
vacant (neuroinflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis)
Dr Elizabeth Househam Service Line Director, (general neurology, neuromuscular)
Dr Daniel Lashley Merrivale Ward (Acute Stroke Unit) Lead, (general neurology, ambulatory care)
Dr Azlisham Mohd Nor (general neurology, cerebrovascular disease)
Dr Martin Sadler (general neurology, epilepsy)
Dr Stephen Mullin (general neurology, movement disorders)
Dr Mike O'Gara (general neurology, Functional Neurological Disorder)
Dr Victor Rusu (general neurology, stroke)
Dr Alex Shah (general neurology, stroke)
Dr Matthew Tanti (general neurology, epilepsy)
Dr Stuart Weatherby (general neurology, headache)
Speciality Doctors
Dr Joshy Varghese
Neurophysiology
vacant
Neuropsychology
Dr Della Nicolle
Dr Gemma Johns
Dr Thomas Davis
Specialist Nurse/Practitioner Teams
Specialist Nurse/Practitioner Leads
Headache - Becky Stuckey
Parkinson's - Nicky Stapleton
Matron for Stroke - Michelle Gallie
All other Neurology Specialist Teams - Amanda Holt
Stroke Therapy Lead - Craig Tucker
Epilepsy — Debbie Coker, Sera Shute, Sara Farr, Rebekka Sharp
Headache — Becky Stuckey, Natasha Wood
Motor-neurone disease — Tracy Thomas, Jenny Trinder, Della Holwill
Multiple Sclerosis — Amanda Grant, Helen Rutherford, Alisha Vittles, Juan de Cruz, Infusion Team - Joanne Chavez, Kelly Martin
Neuromuscular Advisers — Heidi Crook, Clare Stayt
Parkinson's Specialist Team — Emma Pearson, Kevin Triscott, Robert Davies, Kira Penaluna, Nicky Stapleton, Hayley Morton, Kylie Macleoad
Specialist Familial Nervous System Tumour Service — Helen Tomkins, Jessica York
Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist — Debbie Heath, Jason Hatwell, Miranda Sweet, Laxmi Sanjeev, Amy Swabey, Sony Philip, Kristine Monsalve, Lijo Genoy, Jincy Chacko
