A Cambridge neurosurgeon is one of the world’s leading experts who advises brain tumour patients across the world, from his computer.

Dr Colin Watts, consultant neurosurgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, is helping patients globally through Trustedoctor.com, the world’s first virtual platform to link patients with leading brain tumour specialists.

Dr Watts said: “The diagnosis of a brain tumour is always a shock, wherever the patient lives in the world and whatever their background.

“Every family affected by brain tumour wants to have absolute confidence that the treatments offered to their loved one will give them the best possible outcomes.

“Some patients are keen to seek a second opinion and have a specialist look at their medical records and see if they agree with the original thoughts of their treatment team.

“Trustedoctor allows brain tumour patients the opportunity to get a second opinion from an authoritative source in confidence”.

According to The Brain Tumour Charity, brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

Brain tumours are the largest cause of preventable or treatable blindness in children. 11,000 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour in the UK – that’s 30 people every day. Thousands more are diagnosed with secondary brain tumours.

Dr Watts is one of 28 world leading specialists who are helping brain tumour patients around the world.

Colin Watts is also looking at ways to bring significant advantages to the NHS and patients by trailing Trustedoctor’s virtual consultation technology at Addenbrookes Hospital in patients following surgery. Dr. Colin Watts, “Patients are unable to drive following surgery so having the technology to host a virtual consultation gives us additional flexibility to build into the NHS system. We already use telephone consultation as a means of reducing travel for patients but having access to visual consultation through Trustedoctor’s technology not only helps avoid unnecessary hospital trips for patients but allows us to pick up wound deterioration at an earlier stage. Wound infections occur in 10% of surgical patients. Virtual consultations enable us to identify infections earlier, helping to prevent neurological deterioration, and save the NHS money by reducing the need for patients to be readmitted to hospital after surgery”.