Staff Profiles

Mr Nik Patel BSc, MBBS, MD, FRCS (SN) trained in surgery in Oxford and in neurosurgery at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, where he was appointed Consultant Neurosurgeon in 2005.

He has expertise and research interests in microvascular decompression surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and other cranial nerve hyperactive syndromes (hemifacial spasm, geniculate and glossopharygeal neuralgias); in neuromodulation therapies for chronic intractable pain syndromes (spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery); and stereotactic surgery for functional brain disorders.

In recognition for his research, he has been awarded a Hunterian Professorship in Neurosurgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Website: www.nikpatel.com

Dr David Cottrell MB ChB, BSc (Hons), MRCP, PhD is a general neurologist working as an NHS consultant neurologist at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Bristol.

He trained initially at the University of Edinburgh where he gained both his medical degree and a 1st class honours in pharmacology. He received his PhD in mitochondrial genetics and ageing from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and received his neurology training both in Newcastle upon Tyne and Western Ontario.

He has published widely in the field of Neurology including papers on multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, CNS ageing and mitochondrial DNA disorders.

His specialist interests include multiple sclerosis, headache and facial pain.

Professor Stephen Prime BDS (B'ham), PhD (Melb), FDSRCPS (Glas), FRCPath (Lond), DSc (B'ham) was appointed Consultant in Oral Medicine in 1983 and awarded a Professorship to the University of Bristol in 1992.

His subspecialty interests include oral mucosal lesions and oro-facial pain.

Dr Peter Brook is a consultant in Pain Management and Anaesthesia based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He is lead clinician for the pain services provided by United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT).

He treats patients with a wide range of different pain conditions but has a particular interest in Oro-facial pain and especially Persistent Idiopathic Pain Syndromes.

His approach to the management of patients with persistent pain problems is based on the biopsychosocial model of pain. This is a holistic approach that looks at all aspects of the patient’s predicament and of their lives in an attempt to find the best treatment for that individual.

There are numerous different treatment options available for patients with persistent facial pain. These include conventional analgesic drugs, other drugs and the use of complementary therapies. Where appropriate there are psychological therapies that can be useful in the management of any persisting pain including facial pain.