The Walton Centre receives first ever cohort of medical students from Edge Hill University

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust welcomed its first group of year four medical students from Edge Hill University’s new degree programme. The cohort of 26 fourth year medical students gained specialist neuroscience training, based with the specialist Trust for the month of June.

During their time here at the UK’s only specialist Trust dedicated to neuroscience, students experienced busy outpatient and inpatient environments, learning core skills in examining and treating patients with neurological conditions.

Dr Andrew Nicolson, Deputy Chief Executive and Medical Director, said: “It’s been really great to see the students integrate with staff and embrace that hands-on experience on offer.

“The Walton Centre has some of the highest skilled practitioners in neuroscience in the country, and I’m proud that we as a specialist Trust can offer this training to the doctors and clinical professionals of tomorrow. The hope is we continue to work with Edge Hill University, and build on this fantastic first step in our relationship.”

Many departments across the Trust help in the delivery of training programmes, including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro-Rehab, Neuroradiology, Neuropathology, Theatres and Ward teams.

Dr Viraj Bharambe, Consultant Neurologist and Student Coordinator, said: “It’s been amazing to get the medical students stuck into work here at The Walton Centre. We are able to offer a rare insight into a specialist neurosciences hospital, something not all medical students will be able to have unless they seek it out for themselves in other degree courses.

“Students have got stuck into every aspect of neurology and neurosurgery, shadowing clinics and procedures and getting firsthand experience of patients presenting with neurological symptoms.

“The overall aim is to increase their confidence in this field, and hopefully be inspired to pursue neuroscience further in their education and future careers.”

Davina Vadher, one of Edge Hill University's fourth year medical students, said: “It’s been an enriching placement and has given me a glimpse of what the neurosciences have to offer. We were able to see the patient journey from clinics to theatres, as well as seeing acute pathology on the wards.

“It’s been inspiring to work with an excellent group of consultants and specialist registrars, with a keen interest in medical education.”

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Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611