Paediatric neuro-oncology centres awarded ‘Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence’

25 April 2024 | Collaborations, Campaigning and research, News

As a partner organisation with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM), Brain Tumour Support is proud to share the Mission’s announcement today of a new network of 15 strong brain tumour centres for children, of which six centres are designated as excellent.

Each year, around 420 children are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK. After a detailed review process across the UK, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) proudly announces a new network of 15 brain tumour centres for children, of which six have been designated as excellent.

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.

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 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.

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.”

Six distinguished centres were 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. These 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
• Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University
• 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 June 6th in London.

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.”

In sharing the announcement, Tina Mitchell Skinner, CEO and Founder of Brain Tumour Support, said,

We are very proud to partner with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission and share their vision and determination to achieve the best possible treatment and support for anyone affected by a brain tumour, no matter where they are in the country. Receiving the news that your child has a brain tumour is devastating and no family should be in doubt that they will receive excellent care. In the brain tumour community we are all determined to achieve that, and today’s announcement is another important step on that journey.

Read more about the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children initiative

TJBCM partner organisations