As a regional specialist centre, we provide complex hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgical care for patients from across the North East and North Cumbria. Delivering treatment using a multi disciplinary, evidence-based and patient-centred approach.
Types of conditions we treat
- Primary liver cance
- Bile duct cancer)
- Secondary liver cancers
- Benign liver lesions
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatic cysts
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gallstones requiring specialist management
- Polycystic liver disease
Treatments options
• Surgery (open, laparoscopic, robotic)
• Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT)
• Trans-arterial chemoembolisation (TACE)
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Ablation
• Non-surgical treatment pathways
Surgery
Our specialist surgeons undertake a wide range of complex procedures, including:
- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) for cancers and other conditions affecting the head of the pancreas.
- Distal pancreatectomy involves the removal of the tail of the pancreas.
- Total pancreatectomy involves removal of the entire pancreas for both malignant and other pre-malignant conditions
- Liver resection for primary and secondary liver tumours and other liver conditions.
- Gallbladder bed resection for selected patients with gallbladder cancer.
- Surgery involving the bile ducts (biliary tract) where specialist treatment is required.
Meet the team
- Consultant surgeons
- Consultant pancreatobiliary physicians
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Enhanced recovery after surgery clinical nurse specialist
- Cancer care co-ordinator
- Consultant secretary
- HPB referral administrator
- Dietitians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician associate
- MDT co-coordinators
- Research nurses
Research
We have an active research team that recruit patients to National and Regional research trials
The clinical nurse specialist team
The HPB clinical nurse specialists are Ellice Robinson, Nickola Kilbride, Erin Guy, Bethany Dumble and Lucy Oliver.
The HPB cancer care co-ordinator is Sharon McMullen.
The role of the key worker in HPB surgery
- Provide specialist nursing assessment and advice about problems you may be experiencing because of your cancer or treatment
- Comprehensive information about your cancer type, treatment options, side-effects and follow-up
- Time to talk through the information you have been given and discuss any concerns
- Support for you and your family or carers
- A point of contact when you have questions or concerns between hospital visits
- The above service is available to you as long as you are under the care of the HPB Surgical team here at the Freeman Hospital.
Patient Information Resources
- Macmillan Cancer Support
- Pancreatic Cancer UK
- AMMF – The UK’s only Cholangiocarcinoma Charity
- Liver Cancer UK – Part of the British Liver Trust
- Newcastle Macmillan Support Centre
- Newcastle Maggie’s Centre
Contact Us
- HPB administration manager: 0191 213 7128
- Clinical nurse specialists: 0191 213 7333
- Cancer care co-ordinator: 0191 213 9340
- Appointment booking centre: 0191 282 4444
For healthcare professionals
Referring Patients via NENC Connect
We receive referrals through Connect NENC, the North East and North Cumbria regional digital referral platform.
Connect NENC supports timely communication and collaboration between healthcare professionals across the region, helping ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate specialist care.
To submit a referral, you must first register with Connect NENC.
You must be registered with Connect NENC for the referral to be accepted
If you have a query about a referral submitted via Connect NENC, please contact the HPB administrator, Kerry Crosskey on 0191 213 7735.
For urgent queries please contact the HPB surgical registrar on-call via the trust’s switchboard on: 0191 233 6161
