The Northern Brainwave Appeal was established in May 1988 to raise funds for medical technology for the advanced care of patients in the Regional Neurosciences Centre at Newcastle General Hospital.
The Directorate of Neurosciences is now based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne’s city centre and cares for patients from all over the North of England.
Mrs Margaret Cowen was the inspiration behind Northern Brainwave Appeal. She decided to raise funds after her husband, Gerry, became a patient who was treated there.
Both Margaret and Gerry Cowen have now passed away but it was their wish that the Trustees continue with the charity.
Regional Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, 2002
The Neuroscience High Dependency Unit was first opened in 1987.
It aimed to meet the need for continuous monitoring of severely ill head injured patients as well as those with stroke, brain tumours and other conditions that follow neurosurgery.
The appeal continues to raise funds for new research and for the incorporation of these new techniques into clinical practice.
In partnership with the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, NBA has introduced sophisticated image guidance and electrophysiological monitoring equipment into the Neurosurgery operating theatres.
| Trustees of the Northern Brainwave Appeal | Date of appointment |
| Dr Christopher James Andrew Cowie | 26 May 2022 |
| Pamela Crerar | 07 February 2021 |
| Chee Gan | 07 February 2021 |
| Damian Holliman | 04 November 2013 |
| Dr Mohammed Akbar Hussain | 26 May 2022 |
| Andrew Mountain | 26 May 2022 |
| Michaila Patterson | 07 June 2021 |
| Professor A D Mendelow | 08 May 1988 |