Brain & CNS - 2WW
Service Overview
The brain tumour treatment team consists of highly experienced doctors, and other health care professionals who care for more than 600 adults and children with gliomas and other brain and nervous system tumours each year. Specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, neuropathology, radiation therapy, clinical oncology, psychology and brain rehabilitation work together to deliver the most appropriate treatment for each patient diagnosed with a tumour. Bristol Neuro-Oncology services treat a population of over 3 million adults and 5 million children.
The most common method of referral is from a secondary care centre to the Neurosurgical unit at Southmead Hospital Bristol, which is part of the North Bristol NHS Trust. Referrals are accepted from anywhere within the country. Surgery is carried out at North Bristol NHS Trust with further treatment such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, if required, will take place at the nearest local hospital. Making a referral has now been streamlined into a single step electronic process.
Referral Guidance
Referrals for patients aged 16 and over with suspected brain or CNS tumour should be made through e-RS using the Brain & CNS Suspected Cancer Referral Form (word doc). (available in EMIS)
Referrals for patients who have already had imaging (MRI scan, or CT if MRI contraindicated) and where brain or spinal tumour is suspected, can also be made through the Bristol Neuro-Oncology website via referapatient to the weekly Neuro-Oncology MDT.
Emergency Referrals should be made over the telephone. Contact the on-call neurosurgical team at Southmead Hospital: 0117 414 5726
Patient Leaflet
At time of referral please issue the relevant BNSSG 2WW Patient Information Leaflet - COVID-19 edition, which is available in English and 14 additional languages. There is also an Easy Read version of the leaflet.
Clinical Guidance
Please see link to NICE Guidelines Brain and CNS Cancers .