Neurosciences

The Neurosciences Program provides comprehensive, specialized care to children, youth and young adults with neurological disorders. The programs include neurology, neurosurgery, neuromuscular, neuro-oncology, and the spinal cord program.

It is the only program of its kind in BC and the only resource for tertiary and quarternary care in BC, with about 300 surgical procedures and more than 6,000 clinic visits per year.

The Inpatient Unit offers care for patients admitted by neurology and neurosurgery staff. This is a combined unit with the surgical specialties. The unit also serves children who are admitted through the Child Protection Services.

The interdisciplinary staff includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, social workers, neuropsychologists, nurses, support staff, dieticians, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.

Future direction and goals

Neurology: There is a need to develop adolescent and transition programs with the increased survival of children with neuromuscular and metabolic diseases. These same issues may affect older adolescents with epilepsy or individuals who had successful treatment for childhood brain tumours.
Neurosurgery: The goals are to enhance the epilepsy surgery and vagal nerve stimulation programs.
Spinal Cord Clinic/Program: The goals are to continue to care for patients with meningomyelocele, lipomeningomyelocele, other neural tube defects, and spinal cord injuries from BC and the Yukon. We currently see 350 families on a regular basis. We offer a multidisciplinary approach for prenatal consultations, patients, and families in the program.

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PHSA improves the health of British Columbians by seeking province-wide solutions to specialized health care needs in collaboration with BC health authorities and other partners. For more information, visit http://www.phsa.ca

PHSA agencies include: BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Mental Health & Addiction Services, BC Provincial Renal Agency, BC Transplant, BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, and Cardiac Services BC.