Professor Peter Whitfield
Qualifications
BM (Distinction in Clinical Medicine), PhD, FRCS (Eng), FRCA (Neuro Surg)
GMC number: 3252044
Practising since: 1987
Specialties
Neurosurgery
Consultation times
- Weekly Wednesday AM
- Overview
About
Mr Whitfield is a Consultant and Associate Professor in Neurosurgery. He is involved in treating conditions of the spine, the brain and other nerves. His post-graduate training was in Cambridge. He was appointed a Consultant in 2000, after 18 years training!
Slipped or bulging discs can pinch nerves. In the lower back this causes sciatica (leg pain). In the neck, arm pain or even spinal cord compression can occur. In some patients, "wear and tear" of the spine can trap nerves (spinal stenosis).
Peter has many years experience in treating patients with spinal problems: his interest began as a medical student. He regularly performs microsurgical operations on the lumbar spine and neck for these problems.
The success rates from spinal surgery are high, provided careful consideration of the suitability for each case is made.
His brain surgery interests include head injury and brain haemorrhage. He treats many patients with cerebral aneurysms, AVMs and brain tumours. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a technique that is used to treat some patients with brain tumours. The Gamma Knife was the only SRS facility in the UK for many years. They started using LINAC SRS in the South West in 2005 and have treated several hundred cases. Mr Whitfield is currently the clinical lead for SRS. A new Novalis machine was installed in 2014.
He also undertakes surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.
He undertakes medico-legal work as an expert witness for personal injury and medical negligence cases.
Other interests
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
Treatments and tests offered by Professor Peter Whitfield at Nuffield Health
- Excision of spinal tumours
- Lumbar discectomy
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Laminectomy
- Spinal (lumbar) Decompression
Locations Professor Peter Whitfield works with
Related experience
Research
Professor Whitfield edited a textbook, Head Injury: a Multidisciplinary Approach and has written many scientific papers and book chapters.
Memberships
- Society of British Neurological Surgeons
- British Association of Spinal Surgeons
Other posts held
- Consultant Neurosurgeon, South West Neurosurgery Centre, Derriford Hospital
- Associate Professor at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
- Secretary to the National Neurosurgery Selection Board
- Chairman Examination Board, European Examination in Neurosurgery
- Lead for Professionalism, Peninsula School of Medicine
Insurers Professor Peter Whitfield works with
Professor Peter Whitfield works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aviva Health
- AXA Health
- AXA - Global Healthcare
- Benenden Health
- Bupa
- Bupa On Demand
- Cigna
- CS Healthcare
- Exeter Family Friendly
- InterGlobal
- SecureHealth
- Simplyhealth
Declaration
Professor Peter Whitfield does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Professor Peter Whitfield does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Professor Peter Whitfield does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.