Brain cancer network becomes centre of excellence

The network has been named one of 14 new Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence

A network of health professionals in south-west England that specialises in brain tumours has been recognised for its high standard of service.

The Plymouth and the Peninsula Neuro-Oncology Network, which includes NHS trusts across Devon and Cornwall, is one of 14 new Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence.

Former Labour cabinet member Dame Tessa died in 2018 after she was diagnosed with brain cancer, and the Centre for Excellence was established in her name two years later.

The Plymouth and Peninsula network has been selected for the steps it has been making in research, rehabilitation and commitment to growing its team, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

£40m funding available

The network includes University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Associate Prof of neurosurgery at University Hospitals Plymouth, Dr Ellie Edlmann, told an NHS Trust board meeting on Wednesday that £40m of investment was available to Tessa Jowell centres and she wanted some of that for Plymouth.

Dr Edlmann said more genetic testing would enable the centre to learn more about diagnoses and improve the eligibility of patients for drug trials.

The organisations that are awarded Centre for Excellence status have to reapply every four years.