About Neurosurgey

Neurosurgery is a fascinating specialty that offers theprospect of curing patients with a wide range of benign pathologies as wellas improving and prolonging the quality of life for patients with debilitatingneurological diseases. Neurosurgery encompasses all aspects of the diagnosis,assessment, and surgical management of brain, central nervous system, andspinal pathologies.

ARI is the main acute teaching hospital in Grampian and has about 900 hospital beds.Our close links with the University of Aberdeen have made us a centre of pioneeringmedical research in a number of fields. We participate both undergraduate andpost graduate trainings of doctors in neurosurgery and other neurosciencesspecialties.

Our team of neurosurgeons provides thorough evaluations, diagnoses,and treatments for brain, nerve, and spinal cord diseases and disorders in childrenand adults.

Our training, clinical experience, and scientific research are driven by a sincerededication to excellent medical care. We have compassion for the patients we treatand for the families who care for them. We are fortunate to have excellent facilitiesto help us treat neurological diseases.

We are in the process of raising some money to upgrade our equipment on Ward 205. Wewould be grateful for your kind support by visiting www.justgiving.com/Robin-Parkinson

 

Who are the team?

The neurosurgical team is made up of five consultants:

• Mr P Bhatt
• Mr P Bodkin
• Ms S Ross (Clinical Lead)
• Mr J Walkden
• Mr A Giamouriadis

Neurosurgery in Aberdeen

The first neurosurgical unit in Scotland was opened in Edinburgh in 1937. Neurosurgery was still a very new specialty and most neurosurgery was carriedout by general surgeons. After the second world war the neurosurgery unit in Aberdeenwas opened in 1948. The first surgeon was Mr Martin Nichols. He had been sent toFrance in 1940 with a mobile neurosurgery unit but was taken prisoner of war and spentthe rest of the war in Stalag Luft 1 where he served as the camp surgeon. He broughtmodern neurosurgery to the North East of Scotland and opened clinics in Inverness andDundee. The new department was staffed by nurses who became specialists in the care ofpatients with neurological illnesses or in neurosurgical operating theatre nursing.They included Marjory Hogg, Maggie Thomson, Lesley Russell, Ros Grant and Betty Beaton – all pioneers of a new branch of nursing.

The next neurosurgeon Mr Bob Fraser who also had war time surgical experience in NorthAfrica was appointed in the 1950s.

The first neurologist, Allan Downie was appointed in 1965. In this period, beforethe C.T. scan, imaging of the nervous system was complicated, unpleasant and dangerous.The first neuroradiologist was Dr Sandy Macdonald.

The second neurologist was, Dr John Hern was appointed in the 1970s and Mr ChrisBlaiklock succeeded Mr Fraser. The first C.T. scan (EMI scan) was installed in the1970s along with the operating microscope and the world's first clinical MRI scanner.

Until the 1980s, the Intensive Care Unit for the hospital was in the neurosurgeryunit and ventilated patients were looked after by the neurosurgery nurses and theneurosurgeons. In the 1990s the number of surgeons increased to 3 and in 2008 to 4. In the last 20 years the unit developed steadily with the appointment of aneurophysiologist, specialist nurse practitioners, advances in neuropathology andup-to-date CT, MRI and PET scanners.

Functional MRI and the PET scanner enabled us, before other units in Scotland,to identify areas of the brain responsible for particular functions in order toreduce the risk of brain surgery The operating theatre acquired a neuronavigationsystem, neurophysiology monitoring and up-to-date equipment for complex spinalsurgery. In 2010 the first awake surgery was carried out for brain tumours.

When the new Royal Aberdeen Childrens' Hospital was opened it had an operatingtheatre fully equipped for paediatric neurosurgery.In the decade after 2000multidisciplinary teams were formed to share responsibility for areas ofneurosurgery including the treatment of brain tumours, spinal surgery,pituitary surgery and skull base surgery. The brain tumour team meetingsinclude the oncologist in Inverness by videoconferencing.

Other important members of staff contributed to the success of the department,including medical secretaries, therapists, radiographers, receptionists, wardhousekeepers, neurophysiology technicians, neuropathologists and anaesthetists. Many of these gave long, loyal service to neurosurgery in the North of Scotland.

Aberdeen has made a strong contribution to the training of neurosurgeons. Inthe 1990s a rotational training post was established with Edinburgh and traineeneurosurgeons spend time in both centres. All previous trainees have gone onto consultant posts in Aberdeen or elsewhere.

Neurosurgery in Aberdeen has always attracted generous support from thecommunity. Many of our recent developments and investment in new equipmenthas been made possible by the unselfish kindness of our citizens.

There have been 11 neurosurgeons since the appointment of Martin Nichols. The neurosurgeons now subspecialise in aspects of neurosurgery. In the1990s there were moves to centralise Scottish neurosurgery in the centralbelt. After a prolonged consultation and with strong local support the Health Secretary concluded that neurosurgery should remain in 4 centres that would work together as a single service.

Published: 16/12/2022 11:14