Neurology

Our Paediatric Neurology Service mainly sees children aged 0-16 years, although young children with complex neurological problems are often followed up until 19 years of age. We provide care for children living in Sheffield and the surrounding districts.

We treat patients for a wide range of conditions including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, brain tumours, pituitary tumours, spinal disorders and Tourette’s syndrome.

Further information and support is available from NHS Choices and Mencap.

What we do

Our role is to diagnose and treat categories of disease involving the central and peripheral nervous system; or equivalently, the autonomic nervous systems and the somatic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels and all effector tissue, such as muscle.

Our neurologists are also involved in clinical research and clinical trials.

We work closely with neurosurgeons to ensure patients needing surgery get the most timely and effective treatment.

Clinics

A number of specialist clinics are provided by the neurology service including:

• epilepsy
• epilepsy surgery (including vagus nerve stimulation)
• neuromuscular
• spinal
• intrathecal baclofen
• movement disorders

The Neurology Service is supported by specialist epilepsy nurses who have responsibility for patients under the care of the neurologists. Regular epilepsy nurse clinics are held and referrals are made by the neurologists only. There is also a specialist neurology liaison nurse.

Home care

Our Neurology Home Care Team provide care and support at home for children and families with complex neurological disorders under the care of the neurologists.

Gait lab

We have a gait laboratory on site at the Ryegate Children’s Centre. This is run by a physiotherapist and the orthopaedic surgeons with medical input from the neurology service planned. The neurology service has access to support from psychology, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Tests

Most investigation is undertaken at Sheffield Children’s Hospital where facilities for most laboratory investigations and radiology (including MRI) are available. Inpatient video-EEG telemetry is also available. Other neurophysiological testing is available in a child-friendly environment at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.