What is the multidisciplinary team (MDT)?
The multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a team of experts with specialist knowledge and skills in the treatment and care of brain tumours. It includes doctors, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals. The MDT looks after patients with all types of brain tumours and work out the best way of managing patients in a weekly MDT meeting.
The specialist MDT meeting takes place once a week to discuss patient treatment plans. These discussions are recorded and used to guide your treatment. Your GP will also be sent a copy of this record.
It is important that you understand what your treatment involves. Please feel free to ask questions to clarify anything about your care plan that is not clear. We will do our utmost to answer your questions clearly and honestly.
Listed below are the healthcare professionals who are typically part of the MDT.
- Professor Andrew McEvoy, consultant neurosurgeon (co-clinical lead)
- Miss Anna Miserocchi, consultant neurosurgeon (co-clinical lead)
- Mr Neil Kitchen, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr Lewis Thorne, consultant neurosurgeon
- Miss Huma Sethi, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr Ciaran Scott Hill, academic consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr Ruichong Ma, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr Parag Sayal, consultant neurosurgeon and clinical lead
- Mr Adrian Casey, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr James Allibone, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr Vittorio Russo, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr George Prezerakos, consultant neurosurgeon
- Mr Antonino Russo, consultant neurosurgeon
- Miss Nathalie Zaidman, consultant neurosurgeon
- Dr Naomi Fersht, consultant clinical oncologist and clinical lead
- Dr Paul Mulholland, consultant medical oncologist
- Dr Anup Vinayan, consultant clinical oncologist
- Dr Michael Kosmin, consultant clinical oncologist
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeons are surgical specialists who diagnose, evaluate and manage a wide range of diseases of the head and neck, including the ear, nose and throat regions.
Neuroradiologists are doctors who specialise in the interpretation of radiological examinations, such as x-ray and scans. Find out more about neuroradiology at UCLH.
Endocrinologists are doctors who investigate, diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine (hormonal) system.
A pathologist who specialises in the examination of tissue of the brain or spine removed during an operation. Our neuropathology department delivers top quality neuro-oncology diagnostic services whilst meeting all critical key performance indicators.
The molecular pathology service is a leading service in the UK and provides extensive, clinically relevant molecular profiling of high grade and low grade gliomas, thus greatly facilitating identification and inclusion of patients into clinical trials.
All our CNSs are experienced in neurosurgical and oncology care. Once you have been diagnosed with a brain tumour you will have access to a clinical nurse specialist or a support worker attached to that team.
They will support you through this time and help navigate you through the journey which is known as a brain tumour pathway. Throughout your pathway they will be a single point of contact for you and your family should you have questions about your diagnosis, issues with your condition or queries about your medication. They will also be able to provide you with information (written and verbal) about your diagnosis and treatment. They will also be able to offer you advice and support or direct you to other support agencies. The CNS works closely with your team and can be contacted outside of your clinic appointments.
The CNS service can provide support with many aspects of living with a brain tumour such as physical, emotional, social and financial needs.
Your CNS may use a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). This is a process designed to enable you to share information with your team which is important to the treatment and care you receive. You do not have to have a HNA but many people find it opens up discussions with their team about their concerns which may not be otherwise raised.
If you feel a HNA would be helpful please talk to your CNS:
- Orla McKee, lead clinical nurse specialist
- Pauline Ngethe, clinical nurse specialist
- Cristina Palacin Garcia, clinical nurse specialist
- Jade Dellosa, clinical nurse specialist
- Jane Baranowski, clinical nurse specialist
- Loren MacLachlan, clinical nurse specialist
A number of other professionals may be involved in your care. This includes AHPs and different types of therapist.
