10 MARCH 2019 • HEALTHCARE INNOVATIONS


Why Leeds is at the cutting edge of cancer treatment in Europe


Highly targeted radiosurgery is helping to treat patients with brain tumours and other diseases in Leeds


Specialist clinics


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Gamma Knife Icon radiosurgery is a non-invasive, technologically-ad- vanced treatment without the risks of traditional brain surgery. It’s


currently off ered by Nova


Healthcare and T e Leeds Gamma Knife Centre. Based in Bexley Wing at St James’s


University Hospital, the centre is run in collaboration with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. “Our private clinic is housed within


Leeds Cancer Centre, which, as one of the largest and most advanced specialist cancer centres in Europe, is recognised as a leader in research and innovation,” said clinic manager Dawn Abbott. “T rough our unique partner-


ship with Leeds Cancer Centre, we ensure that our patients benefi t from access to the latest and most inno- vative technologies and therapies and are cared for by consultants and


clinicians who are world-renowned specialists in their respective fi elds.” Despite the name, no knives are


involved in Gamma Knife Icon treat- ment. Instead, a pioneering Gamma Knife machine uses three-dimen- sional computer imaging to deliver intensely-focused beams of radiation with pinpoint accuracy to defi ned areas of the brain. “T e Leeds Gamma Knife Centre


is the only centre in the North of England to


off er treatment for


brain tumours and diseases using a Gamma Knife Icon,” said Kate Casey, Gamma Knife and Radiotherapy Services manager. “T e Icon delivers highly targeted


radiosurgery, which destroys the diseased cells without damaging adjacent tissue, undertaken as a day case procedure, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days.”


HIGHLY TARGETED RADIOSURGERY DESTROYS THE DISEASED CELLS WITHOUT DAMAGING ADJACENT TISSUE. UNDERTAKEN AS A DAY CASE PROCEDURE, MOST PATIENTS RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN A FEW DAYS


was amazed he was able to leave hospital on the same day.


Paul Varty had the treatment and "Gamma


Knife treatment was quick, easy and painless. I was able to walk out of hospital that same day and go home — a far cry from the major surgery I underwent to remove the fi rst brain tumour.” T e treatment is available to both


NHS and private patients, with some restrictions set by NHS England. “All referrals will be discussed


by our multi-disciplinary team of experts prior to acceptance,” explained Kate. “T e private patient suite at


Nova Healthcare also off ers private oncology treatment, including radiotherapy,


chemotherapy,


brachytherapy and robot-assisted prostate surgery.”


Nova Healthcare has agreements


in place with most of the leading medical insurers. It also provides cover for self-pay


patients and quotations can be provided on request. A percentage of income from Nova


Healthcare and T e Leeds Gamma Knife Centre is returned to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support delivery of NHS patient care across the region. “To access any of our treatments, you’ll need to be referred by your GP,


or other healthcare professional, to one of our consultants,” said Dawn. “When your GP recommends


that you need to see a specialist consultant, ask them to refer you to Nova Healthcare. “A full list of Nova Healthcare’s


practising consultants can be found on our website.”


Anyone who has private medical insurance or wishes to self-fund their treatment and would like further information can contact Nova Healthcare on T: 0113 206 7503, visit novahealthcare.co.uk/leeds-gamma-knife or advise their consultant.


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