Mr David Baxter

Mr David Baxter is a highly respected consultant neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon with a specialist focus on complex spinal conditions, spinal cord injury, and endoscopic spinal surgery. With over two decades of clinical experience and extensive academic credentials, he is known for his patient-first philosophy and his leadership in minimally invasive spinal techniques. Currently based at the Whittington Hospital, the London Spinal Cord Injuries Centre and King Edward VIIth Hospital, Mr Baxter manages a comprehensive spinal practice encompassing degenerative spine disease, spinal cord injury, and neuromodulation. His approach is grounded in evidence-based medicine, prioritising education and non-surgical treatments before considering surgical intervention. When surgery is required, he utilises the latest techniques including full endoscopic spinal surgery (FESS), and advanced spinal navigation technologies to deliver precise and minimally invasive care. Mr Baxter is widely recognised as a thought leader in the evolving field of endoscopic spinal surgery and is actively involved in training other consultants in these innovative techniques. As a proctor and educator, he mentors consultants and surgical trainees, reflecting his commitment to surgical excellence and the future of neurosurgery. Beyond clinical work, Mr Baxter is an Associate Professor at University College London (UCL) focusing on spinal cord injury research and computer vision in spinal surgery. He is the principal investigator of multiple clinical trials, including pioneering work in spinal cord neuromodulation to restore bladder and bowel function—projects that have secured over £1 million in funding. He is also co-investigator on national trials in scoliosis treatment and spinal sarcoma research. His PhD research into blast injury in armed forces personnel, combined with his military service as a Lt Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps, underscores his unique expertise in neurotrauma. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to key advances in traumatic brain injury research and neurosurgical simulation training. Mr Baxter’s accolades include the prestigious Campbell Connolly Neurotrauma Prize and multiple national and international awards for his research. He is an active member of leading professional bodies, including the British Association of Spinal Surgeons (BASS), Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS), and the European Association of Neurosurgeons (EANS). With a practice defined by precision, compassion, and innovation, Mr David Baxter offers patients world-class care that combines cutting-edge technology with a human touch. His goal is always to empower patients with clear information, conservative treatment options, and the confidence that they are in expert hands every step of the way.

Mr David Baxter is a consultant spinal neurosurgeon with specialist interests across the full spectrum of adult spinal surgery, with a particular focus on minimally invasive and endoscopic spinal techniques. He delivers a high-volume elective and emergency spinal practice, managing conditions such as degenerative disc disease, disc prolapse, spinal stenosis, myelopathy, radiculopathy, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma, adult spinal deformity, coccydynia, and chronic back pain. David adopts a patient-centred, evidence-based approach to care, offering a personalised service that prioritises education, patient empowerment, and shared decision-making. He believes in exhausting non-surgical options first, providing treatments such as spinal injections and pain management strategies. When surgery is indicated, he offers a comprehensive range of procedures including spinal decompression, lumbar discectomy, spinal fusion, and deformity correction. A recognised expert in endoscopic spinal surgery, David routinely performs full endoscopic procedures for disc pathology and spinal stenosis, allowing patients to benefit from reduced tissue disruption, faster recovery, and minimal postoperative pain. He also has extensive experience in spinal navigation and image-guided surgery, enhancing the precision and safety of complex interventions. His practice combines innovation with a compassionate, outcome-focused approach, tailored to meet the unique needs of every patient.