Mr Chris Derham
Qualifications
Bsc, MBBS, MD(Dist), FRCS (Neuro.Surg)
GMC number: 6032198
Practising since: 2001
Specialties
Neurosurgery
Consultation times
- Every 2nd week Monday 9:00 - 13:00
- Overview
About
Consultant Neurosurgeon & Complex Spinal Surgeon
Mr Chris Derham is a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, where he has worked full-time since 2014. He provides specialist care across the full range of neurosurgical conditions, with a particular focus on complex spinal surgery and minimally invasive spinal techniques.
He completed medical training at the Royal Free Hospital in London before undertaking comprehensive neurosurgical training across the Yorkshire region. He was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) with distinction from the University of Leeds for research in tissue regeneration.
Mr Derham has completed the National Spine Fellowship (UK) and the EANS Neurosurgical Fellowship in Innsbruck, Austria, gaining advanced subspecialist expertise in spinal pathology, spinal tumours and cranio-cervical junction disorders.
He is committed to patient safety and quality improvement within neurosurgery, contributing to national programmes that enhance spinal care pathways and surgical outcomes.
Clinical Interests
Mr Derham’s specialist interests include:
- Complex spinal pathology
- Minimally invasive spinal surgery
- Cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine surgery
- Cranio-cervical junction surgery
- Intradural spinal tumour surgery
- Degenerative spinal conditions
- Spinal trauma and reconstruction
Special interests
All aspects of Neurosurgery with a specialist interest in complex spinal pathology including intradural tumour surgery, cranio-cervical junction surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, cervical spine surgery, thoracic spine surgery, and lumbar spine surgery.
Personal interests
Outside medicine, Mr Derham enjoys sport and outdoor activities, particularly mountain and coastal pursuits.
Languages spoken
English, Slovenian, German
Treatments and tests offered by Mr Chris Derham at Nuffield Health
- Head and neck oncology
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Kyphoplasty
- Spinal (lumbar) Decompression
- Bone Graft
- Cervical Spine Surgery
- Vertebroplasty
- Osteotomy
- Minimally invasive spinal surgery
- Excision of spinal tumours
- Nerve surgery
- Laminectomy
- Head and neck surgery
- Spinal fusion surgery
- Interspinous implant
- Cervical Disc Replacement
Locations Mr Chris Derham works with
Related experience
Research
Mr Derham is actively involved in neurosurgical research through collaborations with the University of Leeds and national research groups.
Doctoral Research
His MD research focused on tissue regeneration, specifically the development of an acellular small-diameter vascular graft for reconstructive surgery.
Clinical Trials Leadership
He is Principal Investigator for two major clinical trials:
- DISCUSS Trial – assessing surgical strategies for traumatic spinal cord injury
- POLYFIX DCM Trial – studying operative options for degenerative cervical myelopathy
He has authored 20 peer-reviewed publications and contributed a book chapter to the Oxford Textbook of Neurological Surgery.
Memberships
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Society of British Neurological Surgeons
- British Association of Spine Surgeons
- European Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Member
Other posts held
- Leeds General Infirmary, Consultant Neurosurgeon
Insurers Mr Chris Derham works with
Mr Chris Derham works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aviva Health
- AXA Health
- AXA - Global Healthcare
- Bupa
- Cigna
- Cigna International
- Vitality Health (Pru Health)
- Westfield Health WPA
- WPA
Declaration
Mr Chris Derham does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Mr Chris Derham does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Mr Chris Derham does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.