Neurophysiology

Clinical Neurophysiology is primarily an investigative/diagnostic speciality using computer, electrical, magnetic and electronic means of recording the function of the brain, spinal cord, spinal roots, peripheral nerves and muscle to diagnose disorders of the function of the nervous system.

STSFT Neurophysiology Department provides in-patient and out-patient diagnostic investigations for patients in the surrounding areas of Sunderland, South Tyneside and North Durham. The service is based in Sunderland Royal Hospital. In addition, a portable service is offered for some in-patient investigations, both at Sunderland and at other hospitals in the North East region.

Investigations available:

• Routine Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Sleep-Deprived EEG
• EEG with Sedation
• Videotelemetry (typically up to 6 hours)
• Portable EEG (bedside recording for in-patients unable to transfer to the dept)
• Neonatal EEG recording
• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
• Electromyography (EMG) including complex studies
• Single Fibre EMG (SFEMG)
• Evoked Potentials (VEP, SSEP and BAEP)

Referring a Patient:

• Consultant referrals are required for all investigations, except Nerve Conduction Studies for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome only (accepted from GPs and MSK Teams), and some EMG investigations (accepted from MSK Teams) subject to local triage.
• All STSFT staff must use the Orders facility on the Electronic Patient Record (Medinet) system – when system access is not possible, paper referrals may be sent, but must be followed up by an electronic order to ensure the results notification reaches the referrer.
• External Hospitals – paper referrals are accepted and can be scanned / emailed to stsft.neurophysiology.department@nhs.net
• If your request is urgent, please indicate this on the referral and also please telephone the department on 0191 569 9086 (direct) or ext. 49086 at SRH to verify the request has been received.