This award congratulates the six new brain tumour centres for excellence in treatment, research and care. This is an impressive achievement as despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, these centres have been able to transform their services to elevate their wrap-around patient care.

With 12,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour every year in the UK1, there has never been a more important time to recognise the efforts of NHS staff committed to developing and improving brain tumour treatment and care.

The committee found the Bristol Network demonstrated excellent treatment and care across the network and Bristol was recognised for its commitment to service development, in particular the further development of its rehabilitation pathways.

In addition to the excellent patient support at all stages of their treatment, the committee commended Bristol for its neuropathology services. Bristol is a leading voice in the Tessa Jowell Academy and is spearheading the effort to widen access to genomic testing across the UK.

Kathreena Kurian, Professor of Neuropathology and Honorary Consultant at NBT, Head of the Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Bristol and a member of the Bristol Network, said: “It is a complete honour that the Bristol, Cheltenham and Bath network has been recognised as a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence which is the culmination of years of hard work. This diverse multidisciplinary network is led by a highly skilled, dedicated clinical team whose priority is a patient-centred approach for all brain-cancer patients.”

Professor Kurian is also a part of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute supported Bristol Cancer Network and Bristol Neuroscience Network. Speaking of the close ties between these three networks, she says: "Bristol Cancer and Bristol Neuroscience Networks have been instrumental in raising the profile and supporting basic brain cancer research at Bristol. We aim to translate these research findings to the clinic led by our excellent, highly skilled clinicians to improve diagnosis, treatment options and survivals for our brain cancer patients."

Read the full story on the Bristol Network brain tumour centre awarded Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status.