THE Walton Centre has been named as the second best hospital in the country to have treatment for brain conditions and head injuries.

According to a report produced to advise patients, the centre is second only to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

Based on information from The Healthcare Commission, the report says that if patients want the best care and expertise they should choose either of the leading two hospitals.

The report follows the introduction of the controversial Choose and Book system, which endeavours to give patients a choice of where they are treated.

Mel Pickup, chief executive of The Walton Centre, said: “All our staff here at The Walton Centre are highly professional and totally dedicated to caring for patients who suffer with a neurological condition.

“We are of course delighted that the fantastic medical services we provide should be acknowledged as some of the best available in the country.”

The Walton Centre is the country’s only special neurology NHS Trust and serves 3.5m people in the region.