Full Time NHS Consultant General Neurologist
Most of my patients are based in Sussex, however I am increasingly seeing both Private and NHS patients from Kent and Surrey.
Main Specialty
General NHS Neurologist and I routinely see patients with a wide spectrum of neurological disorders (over 18 years of age only).
Diagnosis of Symptoms
For example ~ Headache, Blackouts, Seizures, Tremor, Numbness, Neuropathic pain, Weakness, Memory, Speech and Language Problems, Gait and Balance disorders, Dizziness†, Double Vision.
Conditions Commonly Managed Include
Migraine, Cluster Headache, Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Peripheral Neuropathy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Myasthenia, Motor Neuron Disease, Certain Sleep Disorders (eg Restless Legs Syndrome).
When A Referral To Me May Not Be Appropriate
Although I am experienced in looking after patients with Vertigo/Dizziness, Stroke and Dementia, I generally see patients for a second opinion after they have first been seen by ENT, Stroke Service or Community Memory Services respectively.
There is a Specialist Clinic for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
Patients with memory and concentration problems after head injury can be directly referred by their GPs to Community Psychology Services. There is more information available about post head injury symptoms on the Headway Patient Charity website (see my Quick Links webpage).
In Sussex, the regional neuroscience centre is currently based at Hurstwood Park. Patients with a known diagnosis of a malignant brain tumour (glioma) are jointly managed by the Neurosurgical and Specialist Neuro-oncology teams. Patients with meningiomas are normally followed up neurosurgeons. Patients with known cerebral aneurysms or vascular malformations are jointly managed with the Neurosurgeons and Interventional Neuro-radiologists But I can advise about management of seizures in all these patients.
Patients with pituitary tumours are jointly managed by endocrinologists and neurosurgeons. Patients with acoustic neuromas are jointly managed by ENT and neurosurgeons.
Patients with spinal disorders are usually first assessed by a Neurologist and if surgery is required, I am able to refer the patient to either a Neurosurgeon or a Spinal Orthopaedic Surgeon. Sometimes surgery is not always possible in which case symptoms may be managed with medications and targeted interventions by the Physical Therapists and Pain Specialists.
A neurologist is able to diagnose neuropathic pain disorders, establish the likely cause and for the majority of patients provide symptomatic relief with medication. But for a few patients with intractable neuropathic pain, or with complex regional pain disorders or if injection or infusion therapies may be required, then a referral to a Pain specialist would be appropriate.
For patients with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) or other related disorders of the autonomic nervous system I would recommend a referral to Dr Jeff Kimber consultant neurologist at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.
† Dizziness is a symptom that can have a number of causes, both neurological and otherwise. More often than not dizziness may be due to a problem with your inner ear or as a result of medication or another underlying medical disorder (eg cardiac) and a Neurological Consultation may not be appropriate for all patients with dizziness. In Brighton there is a Specialist Hearing and Balance Therapy Service, part of the Department of Audiology and also a multidisciplinary ‘dizzy’ clinic led by a specialist ENT consultant.
