Mr Simon Tizzard

I am a Consultant Neurosurgeon with a specialist interest in Spinal Surgery. I have experience in writing medico-legal reports for both Clinical Negligence and Causation as well as Personal Injury cases. I have undertaken Expert Witness training with Bond Solon and have been awarded the Cardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate (Civil). I have been preparing reports since 2011 and am aware of the requirements, roles and responsibilities of an Expert Witness as well as the expectations on me of both solicitors and the Court. I am familiar with the Royal College of Surgeons guidelines on The Surgeon as an Expert Witness (2019).

I have medicolegal experience in:
1. Spinal disorders including fracture, infection, tumour, back pain and whiplash
2. Complex spine cases involving the neck, thoracic spine and back
3. Degenerative spine / cauda equina
4. Head injury
5. Medical negligence and causation

I am regularly instructed by Defence and Claimant litigators. These firms have included DAC Beachcroft, Hempsons, Hill Dickinson Irwin Mitchell, Boyes Turner, Royds Withy King Goodman, Thompsons, Weightmans and Ward Hadaway.

I have been a Consultant since 2007 and am in full time practice in the National Health Service. My practice covers all aspects of spinal surgery including elective and emergency surgery (cauda equina syndrome, fractures, tumours, infection and spinal cord injury). I also treat patients with moderate and severe head injury.

I was Clinical Director for Spinal Surgical Services and Neurosurgery at South Tees Foundation Trust for 8 years until March 2018. South Tees is a designated Regional Spinal Hub and Major Trauma Centre, receiving a varied pattern of complex spinal cases from a wide geographical region. The spinal unit also provides surgical services to the Regional Spinal Injuries Centre which is on site.

I was Chair of the North East Spinal Network until 2022 and was a member of the Clinical Reference Group for Complex Spinal Surgery and author of one of the National Commissioning Policies (Cervical Disc Replacement).

I was appointed as Training Programme Director for the Neurosurgical training programme in the North East in April 2022.

I have been invited to give lectures on spinal conditions both nationally and internationally. I was invited to speak on Spinal Surgery to the 31st Annual AvMA Clinical Negligence Conference in June 2019.

Surgical training in Cambridge, London, Yorkshire and Adelaide; Cardiff University Bond Solon Civil Expert Certificate

British Association of Spine Surgeons; European Spine Society