Dr Nicholas Silver

I qualified in medicine in 1989 and trained to registrar level in general medicine prior to specialising in neurology. My PhD involved four years of dedicated research at the NMR Research Unit, Institute of Neurology (Queen Square, London) investigating magnetic resonance imaging techniques to evaluate and understand (1) inflammatory neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, (2) neurotoxic brain disorders, (3) primary headache disorders, and (4) neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical neurology training took place at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square and Barts and the London NHS Trust.

I treat occipital nerve blocks for headache disorders, multiple cranial nerve blocks for headache disorders, cranial botulinum toxin (Botox) treatment for migraine and headache treatment, non-invasive stimulation (vagal nerve stimulation (gammaCore), trigeminal nerve stimulation (cefaly) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (eNeura) for the non-drug management of headache disorders and facial pain.

I provide a general inpatient and outpatient neurology service for a full range of neurological disorders (including epilepsy, blackouts, MS, neuropathy, sleep disorders, dementia, stroke, etc). Other treatments and symptoms I treat include chronic fatigue, dizziness and vertigo, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome and unexplained neurological symptoms.

I am employed by the Walton Centre for neurology and neurosurgery where I run the Headache Service, investigating and treating severe and refractory headache disorders with a comprehensive range of management options, including Botox, occipital and multiple cranial nerve blocks, non invasive vagal nerve and transcranial magnetic stimulation. This service attracts referrals from all over the UK and the Isle of Man. I am also the lead for clinical audit there.

My positions of leadership include Clinical Lead, Headache Service at The Walton Centre, Liverpool, Lead for Clinical Audit at The Walton Centre, Liverpool, Member of Council at the British Association for the Study of Headache, Regional Neurology representative to Association of British Neurologists, Member of Standards & Services Committee at Association of British Neurologists, Chairman at Audit Revalidation and Clinical Guidelines Committee, Association of British Neurologists, Regional Neurology Representative at Royal College of Physicians and National Neurology Representative at Clinical Effectiveness Forum at Royal College of Physicians.

My research interests include non-headache manifestations of migraine and other headache disorders and non-invasive neuro-stimulation and injection therapies for the treatment of headache disorders. I am involved in a number of national and international treatment trials in the field of headache and lead the headache research team at the Walton Centre. I am also involved in treatment trials for idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

I have received several awards and industry recognition including Best Healthcare Provider in the field of Headache (2010, Migraine Action), Top Santé 100 Health (2013, Top Santé), OUCH Les Charlton Achievement Award (2013, Organisation for the Understanding of Cluster Headache), UK Expert Witness of the Year (2016, Acquisition International), Expert Witness of the Year (2017, Lawyer Monthly), Expert Witness of the Year (2018, Lawyer Monthly), Outstanding Health Professional Winner, The Brain Charity Awards 2018, Consultant Neurologist of the Year 2019 – UK, GHP Private Healthcare Awards 2019 and Exceptional Service Award 2018-2019, Encephalitis Society.