Spine and Spinal Disorders

Biography

WSEM was the last student of Sir Ludwig Guttmann. He trained in Spinal Injuries and its allied surgical specialities in the Oxford Group of hospitals, Guys Hospital, Stoke Mandeville hospital and the USA between 1971 & 1983. He was appointed Consultant Surgeon in Spinal Injuries and Director of the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) at the RJAH 1983. He personally treated and provided ongoing total care from injury to about 10,000 patients with and without Spinal Cord damage. Between 1983 & 2000 he raised £ 6 million from Charity to rebuild and equip the MCSI in order to ensure a safe and fit for purpose environment for patients. In collaboration with the scientists of the Institute to carry out research on regeneration of the injured spinal cord. He published 146 manuscripts, lectured worldwide, is independent Examiner of PhD students since 1997 and is independent assessor of PhD thesis since 1997. WSEM has contributed to the National Health Service Framework and to the National Institute of Excellence (NICE). He is Past President International Spinal Cord Society and Past Chairman British Association of Spinal Cord Injury Specialists. He advised and prepared a report on Spinal Injuries WHO, and prepared a report on Spinal Injuries and won many National and International awards. WEM and the service of the MCSI are acknowledged nationally and internationally for their excellence and contribution to knowledge, teaching, training and research in the field of Spinal Injuries and received many awards. They have been quoted the in House of Lords Parliamentary Debates as examples of good practice(Hansard) 8th April 2003, vol 647, no.79, p204; 9th March 2006 vol 679, no 117, p88 and 28th February 2009. WEM was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship of the Rotary Club in 1999, the Medal of the International Spinal Cord Society in 2002, Hon. Fellowship by the Royal College of Physicians in 2005, the National Hospital Doctor Team Award for Innovation in 2005, the Oswestry Mayor’s community award in 2007, Hon Presidency of the Romanian Spinal Cord Society in 2008, the title of “Freeman of the borough of Oswestry” in 2009, Outstanding achievement award from the Chinese Society of Spinal Injuries in 2012, Outstanding Consultant Achievement award by the Spinal Injury Association in 2015. WSEM is married to Bettina who is a paediatric oncologist and they have one daughter Hannah May Emmeline who has graduated from Kings College Medical School in London and is hoping to serve as a General Practitioner

Research Interest

Spontaneous Neurological Recovery following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries and the positive and negative Prognostic Indicators