The Sid Watkins Building at the Walton Centre is named after Professor Sid Watkins - an eminent neurosurgon from Liverpool who also revolutionised safety in Formula 1.  In conjunction with the official opening of the building in December 2015 a fund was established to create a lasting legacy befitting such an outstanding individual.

The aim of the Sid Watkins Innovation Fund is to reflect the passion and commitment of Professor Watkins by supporting innovation through The Walton Centre in research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the overall care of people with diseases or injury of the nervous system.

The NHS is often limited in the support it can give for the latest technologies and research. But with the help of charitable funding, boundaries can be pushed and in Sid’s name, Liverpool and The Walton Centre can remain at the forefront of neuroscience treatment and care both in the UK and beyond.

Projects

Robotic Arm

We raised £250,000 to secure a Robotic Arm for the hospital.  This is a state-of-the-art system developed to increase the accuracy and safety of a number of neurosurgical procedures - it's comparable to a 'GPS' for the brain.

Training the next generation of Neurosurgeons 

We raised £130,000 to purchase the Neuro Virtual Reality simulator - a revolutionary piece of equipment, and although widely used in specialist centres in the US and Canada, and the first of its kind in the UK.

The simulator tool has enabled experienced surgeons at The Walton Centre to develop the very latest techniques, taking their skills even further, and allow trainee surgeons to practice safely, yet in a realistic environment.

If you would like to support innovation at The Walton Centre you can make a donation to the Sid Watkins Innovation Fund.