Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition. In the UK 1 in 770 babies will be diagnosed each year. There is no cure for hydrocephalus only invasive treatment and usually the placement of a device called a shunt. In 50% of cases, shunts will block within two years of insertion, meaning more brain surgery. It is not uncommon for a child of ten with hydrocephalus to have endured twenty/thirty brain surgeries.

We will develop a group where children who suffer from hydrocephalus can meet others living locally to them. By joining the group, which will be facilitated by a trained professional children can share experiences, learn more and ask more about their condition and can develop meaningful friendships with other children who also suffer from the condition. The aim is to deliver this work in areas where we can build on our established relationships with specialist neurosurgical hospitals, as all children with hydrocephalus will fall under the care of one of these specialist centres.