Neurology

In the Department of Neurology, we diagnose, treat and care for patients with a wide range of neurological conditions, including:

• stroke
• epilepsy
• movement disorders
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• peripheral neuropathy
• headaches and migraines
• neuromuscular junction disorders.

Imaging and diagnostic services

We use state-of-the-art neuroimaging technology provided by Western Health's Radiology Department to help diagnose and manage neurological conditions. This includes:

• MRIs for high-resolution images of the brain and spinal cord structures
• CTs for quick assessments of strokes, injuries or bleeding in the brain
• CT angiography and MR angiography to check blood flow in the brain’s arteries and veins
• functional MRIs to map brain activity
• perfusion imaging to assess areas of the brain affected by stroke.
   

Inpatient neurology care

Neurology services are based in Ward 3E at Sunshine Hospital, which includes:

• 25 neurology and stroke beds
• an Acute Stroke Unit with 4 dedicated beds.

Each year:

• over 2,000 patients are admitted to the Neurology Unit
• over 1,000 stroke patients are treated, making it the busiest stroke service in Victoria.

Ambulant care facilities allow for treatment of patients who require regular infusions for chronic neurological disorders and provide for specialised diagnostic testing.

The department provides expert advice to all other units at Western Health (Sunshine campus and Footscray campuses).

Outpatient and day services

The department runs a busy outpatient program and day treatment service. These include:

• regular infusion treatments for chronic neurological conditions
• specialist clinics held every week, including:
  • general neurology
  • acute neurology
  • stroke and TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
  • epilepsy and first seizure
  • movement disorders.

Neurophysiology services

The Neurology Department offers a range of neurophysiology tests to help diagnose and monitor nerve and brain conditions. These include:

• electroencephalography (EEG)
• nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG)
• evoked potentials (EP).

There is also an inpatient video-EEG monitoring service, which allows for detailed observation of seizures and other brain activity. Please note: This service is currently on hold until further notice.

Department meetings

The team holds two key meetings each week:

1. clinical meeting – includes case discussions, brain imaging reviews and invited speakers
2. audit meeting – reviews patient discharges and general unit activity.

The department also presents to the Network Grand Rounds approximately twice a year. 

A leading training environment

The department offers a rich learning experience for:

• neurology trainees building advanced clinical skills
• junior doctors rotating through the unit.

Ours is one of the most active and well-supported neurology training programs in the country.

The Neuroscience Research Unit, led by Professor Tissa Wijeratne and Dr Vimal Stanislaus, is a national leader in stroke and neurology research. Over the past two decades our team has completed more than 100 international clinical trials in stroke, neurology and brain health – contributing meaningfully to global advances in care and innovation.

Our research spans a wide spectrum of neurological disorders, including:

• acute stroke and cerebrovascular disease
• multiple sclerosis
• migraine and headache disorders
• neuropsychology and cognitive dysfunction
• epilepsy
• movement disorders
• neuroinflammation and immune-mediated CNS diseases.

We are currently recruiting participants for several international clinical trials, including seven major stroke trials and three multiple sclerosis trials, with active involvement in cutting-edge translational and clinical research.

The unit works in close collaboration with:

• Migraine Foundation Australia – advancing public awareness, education and patient-centred research in headache medicine
• Australian Institute for Migraine Studies (AIMS) – pioneering integrative and AI-powered approaches to migraine and brain health
• Western Health Chronic Disease Alliance – a multidisciplinary initiative uniting clinicians and researchers to tackle complex neurological and systemic conditions
• La Trobe University, RMIT University, Victoria University and the University of Melbourne – for cross-disciplinary research, training and knowledge translation
• Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Sri Lanka – for international collaboration on brain health promotion and interprofessional training initiatives.

The Neuroscience Research Unit also plays a pivotal role in mentoring future clinician-researchers and promoting consumer-engaged, community-focused research. Our work bridges neurology, vision science, biology and public health through strong interprofessional and cross-sector partnerships.

Together, we are building a world-class platform for innovation in neurology, brain health and preventive care, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, data-driven solutions and global impact.

We welcome interest from patients, students and collaborators who share our vision for a healthier, smarter future in neuroscience.

Research training and PhD opportunities

The Neurology and Stroke Department at Western Health is a nationally recognised centre of excellence, led by Professor Tissa Wijeratne OAM MD PhD, Australia’s 2025 Field Leader in Neuroscience (as published December 2024). Under his leadership, the department has produced over 140 peer-reviewed publications in the past five years, with a citation index exceeding 140,000 and an h-index of 76 – demonstrating our commitment to high-impact research and innovation.

Our team is driving Australia’s first large-scale initiative at the intersection of neurology, big data and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). We are actively building the nation’s first brain–eye interface biobank, a ground-breaking project that integrates vision science, neurology and molecular biology to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neurological disease.

This work is powered by strong interprofessional collaborations and research partnerships with La Trobe University, University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Victoria University, making Western Health a hub for translational neuroscience research.

We are proud to foster an environment that values consumer involvement, equity and excellence in care. We invite curious, motivated and hardworking early-career researchers to join us in advancing brain health and building the future of Australian neurology.

All referrals should be addressed to our Head of Unit, Professor Tissa Wijeratne. 

Health professionals and GPs can find out more information on referring patients to our clinics via our referral guidelines.

Referrals can be emailed through to our team on westernhealthneurology@wh.org.au.

Department of Neurology
Phone: (03) 8395 9075 or (03) 8345 6169
Fax (03) 9318 6342
Email (referrals only): westernhealthneurology@wh.org.au

Neurology outpatients
Phone: (03) 8345 6490
Fax: (03) 8345 6856

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Phone: (03) 8395 9075
Fax: (03) 9318 6342
Email (referrals only): westernhealthneurology@wh.org.au

Nerve conduction studies / EMG / evoked potentials
Phone: (03) 8395 9075
Fax: (03) 9318 6342
Email (referrals only): westernhealthneurology@wh.org.au