Tim Spring

The focus of Tim Spring’s career as a healthcare solicitor has been patient safety.

He first encountered encephalitis when working for the NHS over 30 years ago when investigating clinical errors and why they occur, an experience that informed his subsequent work for patients and families.

Tim has engaged with and supported the Encephalitis Society for over 20 years and has served as member of the board and its chair.

His role as Course Director of the UK’s first university accredited Clinical Risk Management Programme for healthcare professionals led to him becoming a council member of the Royal Society of Medicine Patient Safety Section.

Tim has represented patient groups in many governance structures of of the NHS advocating a safety agenda.

He believes the altruism of patients and their families and members of the Encephalitis Society, sometimes in the most difficult of circumstances, has contributed greatly to improvements in patient care.

Tim was born in Cleethorpes and often finds himself close to or even in the bracing North Sea.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and events of the Encephalitis Society by becoming a free member today.

Become a Member

Latest

Janet Brown

Janet Brown is a joint trustee of the Kirkby Foundation alongside her husband, Stuart, and is delighted to support the Encephalitis Society and help raise awareness of the disease which for many is relatively unknown.
Stuart Brown

Stuart Brown was a Director and Owner of engineering and textile manufacturing companies. In 2010, he sold his business and established The Kirkby Foundation to support capital projects where there is a specific and genuine need.
David Jennings

David Jennings is the managing director of UAP Limited, the door hardware and locking systems specialist.
Professor Barbara Wilson OBE - President Emeritus

Our president has worked in brain injury rehabilitation for 40 years and has won many awards for her work including an OBE for services to rehabilitation
Richard Lockwood

Richard has over 50 years' experience in the financial services and became a mentor to the Society in 2013
Kika Markham

Kika is a renowned actress who has written a memoir of her life with husband Corin Redgrave who passed away after acquiring a brain injury
Baroness Anne McIntosh of Pickering

Baroness McIntosh knows first-hand of encephalitis and the Society through her role as MP in Thirsk and Malton and after her husband was affected by the condition at the age of 24.
Tom Naylor-Leyland

Tom is the heir to the Fitzwilliam Estate and the driving force behind the ambitious plans to turn our hometown of Malton into the "food capital of Yorkshire"
Tiggy Sutton

A long-standing supporter, Tiggy has raised thousands of pounds for the Society alongside her husband, Robert
Professor Tom Solomon CBE - President

Director, The Pandemic Institute, Liverpool; Vice President (International), Academy of Medical Sciences; Director, NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections; Chair, Neurological Science, University of Liverpool; Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

NMDAR antibody encephalitis

NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.
Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.
What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.
Guidelines for recovery

No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.
Limbic encephalitis

The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.
Death from encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.
West Nile encephalitis

West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.
Encephalitis: after-effects, recovery and rehabilitation

This booklet provides key information about the type of issues that people may have after encephalitis, why rehabilitation/support from professionals and families are important and what options for self-help are available.
Emotional and behavioural changes

Following encephalitis, some people may experience emotional and behavioural changes including low mood, increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, frustration, aggression, impulsivity, disinhibition, and/or poor emotional regulation.
Get support

Our Support Service is here to help you with any questions about encephalitis, recovery and rehabilitation or emotional support.