Neurosurgical trainees are often faced with difficult cases and scenarios which can be complex and challenging. This course aims to provide expertise and additional skills on how to deal with these complex issues.
Overview
The course, organised by The Walton Centre NHS Trust and hosted by Edge Hill University, aims to equip neurosurgical trainees with the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and manage a range of situations relating to neurosurgical complications. The course will be delivered by neurosurgeons and psychologists via informal lectures, discussions and interactive simulation scenarios, covering the different facets of neurosurgical complications.
You will also be provided opportunity to discuss your personal experience of complications with an expert faculty group. Highlights include:
- National speakers including renowned neurosurgeon Henry Marsh
- Understanding Human Factors
- The patient’s perspective
- Medico-legal implications
- Cranial and spinal complications
- Building resilience using sport psychology practices
- Understanding your personality and behaviours
- Decision-making approaches
- Moulage scenarios and interactive group sessions
Full programme
Day 1- Wednesday 16 July 2025
| 9:30am | Welcome |
| 9:40am | A patient’s story A Patient |
| 10:10am | A surgeon’s story Mr Henry Marsh (London) |
| 10:40am | The fast and the curious: Understanding decision-makingNeuroscience to Neurosurgery Dr Antonio Capozio, Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Edge Hill University) |
| 11:10am | Break |
| 11:30am | Human factors/Learning systems and (imposter phenomenon) Mr Nicholas Carleton-Bland, Consultant Neurosurgeon & Course Lead (Walton) |
| 12:00pm | Medico-legal aspects of neurosurgery: what to do when things don’t go to plan? Mr Sadaquate Khan, Consultant Neurosurgeon (Edinburgh) |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm | Cranial complications: group interactive discussion Professor Brodbelt (Walton) Mr Dan Brown (Cambridge) Mr Tyagi (Leeds) |
| 3pm | Break |
| 3:15pm | Spinal complications: group interactive discussion Mr George (Salford) Mr Srikandarajah (Walton) Mr Drozda (Hull) |
| 4:45pm | Surgical Agents: What’s there to help me? Sponsors: Integra/Globus/Ovidius/Medtronic/Brainlab |
| 5pm | Summary and close |
Day 2 – Thursday 17 July 2025
| 8:45am | Welcome and tea/coffee Faculty: Prof Brodbelt/ Mr Doke /Mr Zakaria/Mr Budu/Mr Brown/Mr Srikandarajah/Mr Stovell |
| 8:50am | Team split (Four/group): Team 1 – Haartsen Team 2 – Tesla Team 3 – Berners-Lee Team 4 – Jobs Team 5 – Turing Team 6 – McCarthy 30 minutes/scenario (20-minute scenario, 5-minute feedback and 5-minute turnover, 4 per moulage, 1 candidate should lead each scenario) |
| 9:30am | Moulage Scenario 1 (Haartsen) Moulage Scenario 2 (Tesla) Moulage Scenario 3 (Berners-Lee) Moulage Scenario 4 (Jobs) Break (Turing) Break (McCarthy) |
| 10:00am | Moulage Scenario 1 (Turing) Moulage Scenario 2 (McCarthy) Moulage Scenario 3 (Haartsen) Moulage Scenario 4 (Tesla) Break (Berners-Lee) Break (Jobs) |
| 10:30am | Break |
| 11am | Moulage Scenario 1 (Jobs) Moulage Scenario 2 (Turing) Moulage Scenario 3 (McCarthy) Moulage Scenario 4 (Haartsen) Break (Tesla) Break (Berners-Lee) |
| 11:30am | Moulage Scenario 1 (Berners-Lee) Moulage Scenario 2 (Jobs) Moulage Scenario 3 (Turing) Moulage Scenario 4 (McCarthy) Break (Haartsen) Break (Tesla) |
| 12pm | Moulage Scenario 1 (Tesla) Moulage Scenario 2 (Berners-Lee) Moulage Scenario 3 (Jobs) Moulage Scenario 4 (Turing) Break (McCarthy) Break (Haartsen) |
| 12:30pm | Moulage Debrief |
| 12:45pm | Lunch |
| 1:45pm | Winning Mindsets: Applying High-Performance Athlete Strategies to Neurosurgery Professor John Sanders, Professor of Medical Education Dr Emma Huntley, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology Edge Hill University |
| 2:45pm | Break |
| 3pm | Understanding Self & Others in the Workplace: Personality, Coping Styles & Stress Dr Helen Wall, Senior Lecturer in Psychology Edge Hill University |
| 4pm | Break |
| 4:15pm | Understanding Self & Others in the Workplace: Personality, Coping Styles & Stress (Part 2) Dr Helen Wall, Senior Lecturer in Psychology Edge Hill University |
| 5pm | Summary and close |
Day 3 – Friday 18 July 2025
| 9am | Welcome and summary |
| 9:10am | Work-life balance: prevent burnout, mental wellbeing Mr Farouk Olubajo, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Course Lead (Walton) |
| 9:40am | Planning your future career/Sub-speciality Mr Rasheed Zakaria, Academic Consultant Neurosurgeon (Walton) |
| 10:10am | Break |
| 10:30am | When to become an academic/complete a Phd/LTFT Mr Ryan Matthew, Academic Consultant Neurosurgeon (Leeds) |
| 11am | Leadership and education in neurosurgery Mr Nicholas Carleton-Bland, Consultant Neurosurgeon & Course Lead (Walton) |
| 11:30am | Expectations of a ST3/Registrar (What to do and what not to do) Mr Cathal Hannan, ST6 Neurosurgery trainee (Walton) |
| 12pm | Close |
The course will take place at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, West Lancashire, and is heavily subsidised by sponsors.
Costs
The course fee is £350. This is inclusive of 2 nights’ accommodation (16th and 17th July) on Edge Hill University’s campus, and lunch and refreshments.
A limited number of places are available so book early to avoid disappointment.
Click here to book now