- The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) has today announced a new network of 15 strong brain tumour centres for children of which six centres, including Newcastle, are designated as excellent.
- Newcastle was commended for having a well-organised team which provides excellent psychological care, comprehensive education throughout the patient journey, dedicated late-effects care, well-resourced play therapy services and excellent clinical trial opportunities.
- This award marks the first step towards the TJBCM’s vision that “every child with a brain tumour will not only survive but also receive the highest quality of treatment, care and research opportunities.”
Each year, around 420 children are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK (1). After a detailed review process across the UK, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) has today proudly announced a new network of 15 brain tumour centres for children, of which six have been designated as excellent, including Newcastle.
Dr Stephen Lowis, who led the review process, said “In every team in every city, we found remarkable examples of exceptional and compassionate care. This initiative will support all centres across the UK to develop their services, through national collaboration and sharing of examples of excellence”
The launch of this brand-new initiative marks the first stage in a national effort to further elevate the treatment, care and research for children with brain tumours. For families and young patients, this recognition will provide confidence in the services delivered by centres in the network. The Mission found remarkable examples in every centre of NHS staff working well beyond what was asked for, to deliver excellent care for their patients.
The nationwide review process further provides an in-depth understanding of children’s brain tumour care and research in almost every centre across the UK. Funded and supported by the NIHR and the Mission’s partner charities, TJBCM will use these findings to launch new programmes aimed at further elevating services across the country.
Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University was jointly awarded Centre of Excellence designation after a thorough, expert-led review of services which found the team met all aspects of treatment, care and research, with many areas of outstanding service provision.
The panel said Newcastle offered excellent imaging services, comprehensive psychological care and great education services with extensive school collaboration. Patients were also able to participate and benefit from world-class brain tumour research opportunities.
Simon Bailey, Professor of Paediatric Neuro-Oncology and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary said: “It’s a fantastic honour for the dedicated and passionate team and hospital to receive this status and it will mean so much to our wonderful patients and their families across the region knowing that they are receiving care in a centre of excellence.
“The recognition that our team and the wider hospital provide such a high standard of care will ensure we redouble our efforts to continue to look at ways we can further build our service to benefit those going through their brain or spinal tumour journey. Currently around 30 children in the North East and North Cumbria are diagnosed with brain tumours every year and we look forward to supporting the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission in their programme of work.”
Chair of Molecular Paediatric Oncology & Director, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Steve Clifford, added: “Our partnership in paediatric neuro-oncology between the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer and The Great North Children’s Hospital is internationally leading, and we are delighted to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Tessa Jowell Mission. This unique collaboration allows us to combine cutting-edge research with our clinical centre and leading roles in international clinical trials, enabling us to drive novel discoveries into clinical practice, improving the standards of care and outlook for children with brain tumours.”
Newcastle is one of six distinguished centres that have been awarded the coveted Centre of Excellence status, having met the high Standards of Excellence across all 168 areas along their patient pathway. Areas assessed include clinical care, quality of life care and access to clinical trials. Special attention was paid to play therapy and education provision, key elements of children’s cancer care. The other centres are:
- Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH) and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) Joint Centre
- Greater Manchester Children’s Neuro-oncology Service: The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Nottingham Children’s Hospital at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Staff will receive the awards during a ceremony at the Science Gallery London on 6 June.
Richard Gilbertson, Chair of the TJBCM and Paediatric Oncology Clinician Scientist, said “This initiative has received an overwhelming and enthusiastic response from the paediatric neuro-oncology community. Together, we are working to ensure all children with a brain tumour receive the very best care, wherever they live.”
Jess Mills, Tessa Jowell’s daughter and TJBCM co-founder, proudly said “Mum’s legacy to transform outcomes for brain cancer patients across the UK has reached another huge milestone. It has been so moving to witness how committed the teams caring for children in hospitals are to come on this journey with us.”
Dr Nicky Huskens, CEO of the TJBCM, said “The outcome of this rigorous process has been re-assuring. Every centre that participated provides good care, with six providing exceptional care. Going forward we will be working with our partners in the charity, public and corporate sectors to provide bespoke centre support and launch new meaningful national initiatives to improve brain tumour treatment and care.”
Louise Shepherd CBE, Chair NHS England’s National Children and Young People’s Board, said: “It is fantastic to see NHS hospitals across England being recognised as centres of excellence. These awards are a fitting tribute to Tessa Jowell and her dedication to excellence in cancer care, as well as to the NHS staff who work tirelessly to provide the best treatment and support to the children and their families. The NHS is committed to diagnosing and treating cancers as early as possible to give people the best chance of beating the disease, and I encourage anyone who is experiencing any worrying symptoms to contact their GP immediately – getting checked can help save lives.”
With thanks to the TJBCM’s partner organisations for their continued support of the Mission’s work.
