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Dr Rachel Thornton

Consultant in clinical neurophysiology

I am a consultant in the clinical neurophysiology department, providing investigations and care for patients with epilepsy and neuromuscular disease.
Dr Rachel Thornton

My current role

I have a specific interest in adult and paediatric epilepsy and take a major role in the video electroencephalogram (EEG) telemetry service.

My role also includes Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study clinics, as well as reporting the diagnostic tests which we undertake in the clinical neurophysiology department.

Together with consultant neurologists and the neurosurgery team, I provide an outpatient epilepsy clinic for adults with complex epilepsy.

I have an interest in medical education and teach on EEG and seizures for several national workshops, as well as being a co-director for the ILAE UK EEG and seizure semiology course. I am an educational supervisor for registrars in the region and regularly teach for other services across the Trust.

Previous history

Until 2020 I combined my role at CUH with a consultant post at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children working particularly in pre-surgical evaluation and complex epilepsy in babies and children.

I had a lead role in the invasive EEG programme, co-founded the Children's Epilepsy Stereoelectroencephalography course - the first of its kind.

I trained in clinical neurophysiology in the East of England, having previously worked as a neurology registrar in the North West and London. I spent four years doing research at the Institute of Neurology, UCL and my PhD is in imaging and invasive EEG in epilepsy.

Personal interests

Outside of medicine, I am an enthusiastic pianist and enjoy sewing and reading as well as climbing hills with my family (a bit of a challenge given the East Anglian terrain!).

Memberships and accreditations

I am a member of the International League Against Epilepsy and British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology.