University Hospitals Birmingham has been recognised as a ‘Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence’, one of nine across the country, recognising their excellent delivery of care surrounding Brain tumours.

The ‘Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence’ status recognises University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust as an outstanding centre for their delivery of care and treatment by NHS staff in their efforts to provide above excellent patient care through a difficult time. The assessments included virtual site visits and were led by a committee of experts in the field. Centres were measured on a range of criteria including excellent clinical practice and training opportunities; emphasis on patient quality of life; providing clinical trials and offering a high standard of research opportunities.

Three years ago, Baroness Tessa Jowell gave a powerful speech in the House of Lords recognising the need to improve brain tumour treatment, care and survival for all pa-tients.  Brain tumours are often found at later stages and only 12% of adults survive for five years after diagnosis highlighting the need for further innovation in brain tumour care. The newly introduced ‘Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status’ recognises the delivery of outstanding care and treatment by NHS staff in their efforts to provide above excellent patient care through a difficult time.  In the first round of applications University Hospitals Birmingham is one of nine centres who have achieved this status.

The centres are awarded upon consideration of 5 key areas.  These are 1) patient access to best possible surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, pathology, and radiology 2) a strong emphasis on empathy and wrap around care typically through access to nurse led services rehab and compassionate end of life care where needed 3) access to cutting edge clinical trials, 4) key educators and 5) working with scientists in the areas of research developing new therapies.

Speaking of the success, Professor Colin Watts, Professor of Neurosurgery said: “I am delighted that our Neuro-oncology service has been designated as a Tessa Jowell Centre of Ex-cellence for Brain Cancer.  This award is recognition of what we can achieve if we work together to deliver a truly multidisciplinary package for our patients: patient-centred, consultant-led, research orientated. It is a fantastic achievement.”

The full details and statement from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, can be found here.

UHB Charity launched the Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund in 2015, to support one of the most under-funded areas of cancer research in the UK.  The charity has been supporting the work of Professor Colin Watts and his team in several ways that are very much in line with the key arears listed.  Seven years ago, the charity successfully ran a multimillion-pound campaign to bring both TomoTherapy and Cyberknife radiotherapy to the hospital. 

The Giles’ Trust also funds dedicated clinical research nurses.  These nurses enable patients the opportunity to access clinical trials, trials which have the potential to offer patients new drugs and treatments with fewer side effects, longer life expectancy with the ultimate goal of being able to beat brain tumours.  In the field of research, the charity has funded a project where the aim is to be able to provide information about the tumour earlier and with more accuracy than is currently possible through the means of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This would lead to more targeted and faster treatment pathways. The charity is also proud to support its nurses and provides an additional education budget for its neurology nurse team to ensure that the team are always at the forefront of clinical excellence.

Cathryn Worth, Fundraising Manager, UHB Charity said: “We have an amazing Neuro-oncology team here at the UHB and it is a privilege to support their work.  Everything they do has the patient at the centre whether it is regarding cutting edge equipment, ground-breaking research and even down to requesting items for the ward to make patients’ stays more comfortable.  This award demonstrates their commitment to not only their improve outcomes for our patients but also their quality of life.”

You can find out more about the Giles' Trust, or make a donation here.

The full statement from the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission can be found here

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