To provide a high standard of diagnosis and treatment to outpatients and inpatient work, in elective and emergency spinal surgery. On- call for complex spinal conditions (tumour, trauma, infection etc) 1:6 with prospective cover. The neurosurgery department provides care to adult patients with emergency and elective conditions. The nearest paediatric neurosurgical unit is 125 miles but there is a paediatric spinal service in Exeter. Emergency care is only provided to children in Plymouth when it is expedient to do so.