The North West Neurosurgery Network, hosted by Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has launched its national multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) for base of skull chordoma and chondrosarcoma. The service is now live and ready to accept referrals via a dedicated online platform.

Following a successful national bid, the service, jointly chaired by Consultant Neurosurgeon Professor Omar Pathmanaban and Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Gillian Whitfield, will bring together expertise from across the country to support high quality, equitable care for patients with these rare and complex tumours.

Referral portal

Referrals can be submitted through a dedicated online platform within the existing Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) portal. To use the portal,  referrers must first register for an account.
This integrated process reduces duplication, particularly for patients who may also require discussion at the national proton MDT and ensures a streamlined national referral pathway.

National MDT 

The MDT will meet fortnightly on Wednesdays, beginning:

1 April 2026, 3–5pm

Referrals for the first meeting will be accepted until 27 March.

For further information, contact the MDT coordinator: National.ChordomaMDT@nca.nhs.uk

NWNN launched in 2024 and is funded by NHS England North West. The Network brings together the region’s three major neurosurgical providers: Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, and The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust. Together the network has a triple focus on access, outcomes, and experience for their patients.

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