Study Tour to the Netherlands

Dr Ball has just returned from a trip to the Netherlands in Europe. One of the highlights of this trip was a visit to the St Elisabeth Hospital in Tilburg. He had the opportunity to perform minimally invasive spinal surgery with Dr C. Diekerhof (orthopaedic surgeon) and Dr J.C. de Nie (neurosurgeon).

Dr Ball subsequently attended a course on the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity held in Amsterdam and the University of Leiden. This course was held by Medtronic Academia. This course content covered the treatment of adult deformity and the challenges encountered in this difficult patient group. The program comprised of scientific lectures and dynamic clinical case discussions. Some surgical management techniques were highlighted in a hands-on anatomic workshop led by distinguished faculty.

Clinical Innovation Working Group

Dr Ball has being invited to join a Clinical Innovation Working Group for a project that looks to improve the care of spinal injuries.

The NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority (LTCSA) provides care and support services for people who have experienced a severe injury in a motor vehicle accident. LTCSA have engaged Ernst and Young to undertake a project to review and identify best practices for delivery of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury services in NSW so that the services deliver better lifetime outcomes for participants.

Dr Ball and his colleague Dr Bill Sears are the two neurosurgeons at the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNS) Spinal Injuries Unit, providing services to spinal injured patients from the northern half of NSW. The RNS unit is the only NSW spinal cord injuries unit in a major Level 1 trauma centre. One of Dr Ball's key interests is the management of spinal cord injury and he is excited by the opportunity to be part of a project that will hoperfully lead to better outcomes.

Invited Lecture in February - Spinal Cord Injury

Dr Ball has spoken at the Royal North Shore Hospital's Spinal Injuries Unit “From Injury to Independence” course held at Royal North Shore Hospital in February, 2011.

Dr Ball's presentation focussed on the early medical and surgical management of spinal cord injuries.

A wide range of participants

who are involved in the management and care of individual’s with spinal cord injury across the continuum of care

attended this course. This included those

from both metropolitan and rural areas working in various clinical areas from a mix of disciplines including nursing, social work, physio and occupational therapy.

Dr Ball and his colleague Dr Bill Sears are the two neurosurgeons at the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNS) Spinal Injuries Unit, providing services to spinal injured patients from the northern half of NSW. The RNS unit is the only NSW spinal cord injuries unit in a major Level 1 trauma centre. One of Dr Ball's key interests is the management of spinal cord injury and he is excited by the opportunity to share his passion for this area of his work.