Helen has published widely with over 30 published papers. Helen currently is a member of the academic sub committee of the British Paediatric Neurosurgical Group and is leading a national registry project for Spinal Dysraphism (Spina Bifida). Current topics at Addenbrooke’s include imaging projects looking at the long term effects of treatment for hydrocephalus and tumour in children.

Consultant Neurosurgeon, Addenbrooke's Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge
Honorary Visiting Senior Research Fellow, University of Cambridge
Associate Director of Postgraduate Education, Addenbrookes Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge

Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Member of the British Paediatric Neurosurgical Group
Member of the British Association Spinal Surgeons
Member of the British Cervical Spine Association
Member of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons
Chair, Women in Surgery, RCS of England
Medical advisor, Health Care Comission
Medical Advisor, Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

Helen Fernandes was appointed as Consultant Neurosurgeon at the internationally renowned Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in 2002, the first female surgeon to be appointed there. She specialises in both the treatment of adult and paediatric patients with brain and spinal problems. She trained on the Northern Region Neurosurgical Training Programme having graduated from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She supplemented her training with secondments to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London and the Montefiore Hospital, New York. During her training she also spent two years in research having been awarded the Louis Alexander Research Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons and later a Hunterian Professorship from the same organisation. She gained her Doctorate of Medicine in 2000 and was then appointed as a Medical Research Council Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon prior to her move to Cambridge. Helen offers a wide range of neurosurgical expertise but has a particular interest in spinal neurosurgery, managing sciatica, back and neck pain as well as tumours of the spine. She is one of three complex spinal surgeons in Addenbrooke’s Hospital and also a member of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, British Cervical Spine Society and the East Anglian Spinal Society. Her other special interest is Paediatric Neurosurgery being Lead Paediatric Neurosurgeon in Addenbrooke’s. She cares for children with hydrocephalus, brain and spinal tumours, following head and spinal injury and those born with congenital spinal and brain disorders such as spina bifida. She is in fact very proud to be a Medical Advisor to the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (www.asbah.org).

I am approaching 40 years of age and married to a senior executive in the automotive sector. We have three children Alex, Lauren and Oliver. With three busy little people to look after and a job in neurosurgery I find I have very little free time! However when I do, I love to exercise, especially run, cook and eat the results, horse ride and tinkle on my piano.