Helen Fernandes
Consultant Neurosurgeon with a special interest in paediatrics
This issue Link meets Helen Fernandes, consultant neurosurgeon at Cambridge's Addenbrookes Hospital, who took time out of her hectic schedule to talk to Link about her work. Helen is married with three children, Alex 11, Lauren 8, and Oliver, 4.
1. When and why did you become interested in neurosurgery?
My first interest in neurosurgery was sparked when I was a Senior House Officer back in 1992. I did the job for 6 months and then moved on to do other surgical specialities before sitting my exams. Having once done neurosurgery, I felt I had to return to it, and did so in 1994.
2. What does your job involve?
I look after patients with neurosurgical disease - so head injuries, bleeds into the brain, infections, people who have brain tumours or spinal tumours, and pain from spinal degenerative disease.
I do lots of general neurosurgery, but I also sub-specialise in the treatment of paediatric problems - children that are born with congenital abnormalities that involve the central nervous system, or have hydrocephalus, and children that develop tumours. In my work with adults I look after patients with complex spinal problems.
3. How long have you been in your current post?
Nearly three years.
4. Where else have you worked and trained?
I trained in Newcastle upon Tyne, and rotated out to Middlesborough, where they have a big spinal neurosurgical unit. I also spent some time in the Maudsley Hospital in south London, which is now being amalgamated with Kings College Hospital.
5. Is there a typical day?
I don't think any day is typical in neurosurgery… which is actually what I quite like about it. You never know what's going to happen when you answer your phone, or pick up your bleep.
I spend about 2 -3 days a week operating and one afternoon a week in clinic. Two or three times a week I will do a big ward round with my team and we just deal with what comes at us.
6. How much contact do you have with people with hydrocephalus?
A large part. Hydrocephalus involves at least 50% of my paediatric practise.
7. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the patient contact and especially my work with children. I enjoy operating and being able to solve a clinical dilemma - finding out what's wrong with somebody and trying to fix it for them.
8. The downside to the job?
It's hard work - long hours and during my training, a lot of time out of my bed at night.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, people don't respond very well to treatment. Patients can be neurologically damaged or die as a result of the diseases that I deal with, and that can be very hard, especially in children.
9. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
When a child I've treated or operated on will actually sit on my knee in Out Patients.
10. What are your hopes for the future managing and treating hydrocephalus?
I think I'd like to develop a shunt that doesn't block or doesn't get infected. I don't know if that's realistic, but it would be wonderful.
11. What do you do to relax?
Run, ride horses, play tennis, cook, and look after my three children.