Presentation

The Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland (NSI), after planning that concluded in 2008, was constituted and launched officially on July 1st, 2009. The idea of a Neurocenter was born from the following reflections:

1. The staff and institutions for the treatment of patients with disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system in an area with about 350,000 inhabitants were to be enlarged and further specialised. In 2010 the Neurocenter is thus able to offer 40 inpatient beds, 4 day hospital beds, specialized outpatient clinics, a clinical neurophysiology unit, an EEG/sleep center, medical collaborators (30 units), nursing staff (45 units) and medical technicians (6 units). The main location of the Neurocenter is the Hospital of Lugano.
   The Neurocenter is however a multi-site Department that offers its services to all other institutions of the Cantonal Hospital Corporation (EOC, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale) and in particular to the Regional Hospital of Bellinzona and Valli (full-time neurological and part-time neuroradiological consultant) and to the Regional Hospital of Mendrisio (part-time neurology consultancy). In the near future the Regional Hospital of Locarno will also be in the loop.
2. The modern approach in medicine is characterised more and more by multi- and interdisciplinarity. The historical subdivision (born in the 19th century) between medical subspecialties no longer meets current needs. The creation of the Neurocenter thus responds to the need to build up synergies (and eliminate unuseful redundancy) in the area of the clinical neurosciences at the patient’s service The Neurocenter, set up in 2009 as stated above, consists currently of the following Divisions: Neurology (created in 1980), Neurosurgery (1989), Neurosciences (2009), Neuroradiology (2010) and Neuroanaesthesia (2010) including the Pain Center (2005).
3. The Neurocenter also serves to guarantee the diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation path for the neurological and neurosurgical patient from the very first hours of his disease until his return home. With this aim, a Stroke Unit and continuing neurology treatment with 4 beds (extendible to 6) was opened on 19th April 2010 and the synergies with the Centro
   di riabilitazione Brissago were broadened with regard to neurorehabilitation.
4. Research and teaching are integral parts of the Neurocenter. In 2009 the clinical research unit was thus set up in Lugano, a platform also created to build up and develop the necessary synergies in scientific activities within the EOC. Moreover, in 2010 a basic research unit was set up at the Biomedical Research Institute (IRB) in Bellinzona, the latter in collaboration with Zurich University Hospital. The Neurocenter offers the possibility of doing doctorates and research as well as medical education with a teaching program of regional and also national/international character.

    

In a rapidly changing cantonal and national socio-economic context, the Neurocenter represents a pole of modern clinical scientific competences at the service of the community.