Mr Jonathan Pollock

My Practice and my Team

I offer advice and surgical treatment of conditions of the brain and spine in adults , especially those with a surgical solution to their problem.

My cranial interests include brain tumour surgery , especially meningioma , pituitary adenoma , glioma and tumours arising at the base of the skull where our long-established specialised team is required for optimum treatment.

I also treat problems which may arise at birth such as Chiari Malformation and Hydrocephalus . I have an interest in Trigeminal Neuralgia and Hemifacial Spasm .

My spinal work is concentrated on degenerative disorders of the spine such as sciatica, brachalgia and stenosis of the spinal canal. I place the emphasis on preserving spinal movement wherever possible .

When not carrying out surgery I spend a great deal of time assessing patients and their imaging in order to find non-surgical answers to their problems when these are available . The simplest and safest solution to a Neurosurgical problem is usually the best .

I work closely with a team of surgical and nursing colleagues to produce the best possible outcomes for my patients. Our team utilises the expertise of trusted co-workers such as oncologists (tumour specialists) neuroradiologists (X-ray specialists), neurologists, neurophysiologists and neuro-intensive care specialists. My interest in problems at the skull base, for example , is shared with endocrinologists (hormone specialists) and other surgeons with expertise in this area such as a neuro-otologist, maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons . Spinal conditions are treated jointly with a pain specialist, a neurophysiologist and physical therapists from several disciplines . The theatre team are central to obtaining the safest environment for neurosurgery and work with me to minimise the risk of the surgery we perform.

I carry out radiosurgical treatment of tumours when required utilising the Gamma Knife at the Platinum Medical Centre , Wellington Hospital .

My secretary Clare Howes will help your advice and treatment proceed as swiftly as possible with the information available to make early decisions .

My Background

I studied Medical Sciences at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and completed my medical qualification at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. My Neurosurgical training was in Oxford, Nottingham and London .

I have a keen research interest in improving care in Meningioma surgery, being a founder member of the British-Irish Meningioma group, and in the history and development of Neurosurgical operative techniques .

I am the Clinical Lead for Neuro-Oncology ( brain and spine tumours ) at Essex Neurosciences Centre where I have been a Consultant since 2002 .

I have an active role teaching junior surgeons and medical students and I have also been closely involved with the leadership of my NHS department during a spell as its Clinical Director. I served as a member of the SAC ( the National training body ) in Neurosurgery . I have served on the faculty for National Selection of trainees in Neurosurgery and as a member of the Authors group of the National Neurosurgical Examination .