President’s Column
Welcome to the Summer edition of the HSA newsletter. I apologise for the delay to this issue, the conference was a major focus for the entire committee and due to workload we decided to delay the newsletter.
Upcoming HSA AGM & Committee Elections
The Hydrocephalus Support Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Sydney and online via Zoom on Sunday 22 February 2026.
The AGM is an important opportunity for members to come together to review the year that’s been, including presentation of the annual report and financials, discussion of key achievements, and an overview of priorities for the year ahead. Members will also have the opportunity to ask questions and help shape the future direction of the Association. Our patron Professor Brian Owler will be attending part of the meeting.
As part of the AGM, all committee positions will be declared vacant and elections will be held. If you are a financial member of the Association and are interested in nominating for a committee role, please complete the HSA Office Bearer Nominations form 2026 and return it via email to election@hydrocephalus.org.au no later than Sunday 15 February 2026 at 7:00pm AEST. If you do not yet have two members to act as your proposer and seconder, please contact us at election@hydrocephalus.org.au and we would be happy to assist.
Date: Sunday 22 February 2026
Time: 1:45pm – 4:00pm AEST
Location: Granville Scout Activity Centre, 2 Arthur Street, Granville NSW
Online (Zoom):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84879430795?pwd=b2K6gCaDbYu3pfNY2i8wpGoCdub8cD.1
2026 Meetings
Face to face meetings will be changing format this year as we have noticed a decrease in attendance since the covid years that has not returned to normal. This year we will try a format of a face to face meeting with online participation each quarter that will rotate through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Each state will hold their own Christmas get together and topics for each of the meetings will be AGM, Integra and their shunts, Navigating the NDIS and an update about the kitea sensor pivotal trial in the US. The location and date of sessions except for the AGM are under arrangement so please keep an eye out on our website/facebook for updates.
2025 Conference Recap
The conference went really well this being the first time it was physically held outside of Sydney. There was a great line
up of speakers and presenters and I thank them all for their participation, particularly those who shared their journeys with hydrocephalus.
The conference session recordings have been edited and will be exclusively released to those who paid for attendance to the conference shortly for a period of 3 months before we make them available to all members.
After the conference we were contacted by one of the major shunt suppliers in Australia, Integra who bought Codman from Johnson and Johnson some years ago. I have had initial discussions which have been quite positive so far they have asked us for input into their NPH patient booklet which we have provided and we have invited them to present at one of our meetings this year.
New Technology
The HSA has recently become aware of a new type of shunt valve being released in Australia from Miethke (distributed by B.Braun) called the M.Scio, this valve is the first on the market in Australia that also has a pressure sensor in it. There are only a few neurosurgeons using it in Australia but it could be helpful for people with complex intercranial pressure issues, for people with slit ventricle system and for children and profoundly disabled people who can’t communicate what they feel. The HSA does not endorse any particular shunt system over another we provide this for information purposes only.
As you may have noticed in my column, I am an advocate for sensor technologies I think it will be a great improvement in treatment as it should take the guesswork out of is it a headache or is surgery needed and also provides hard data for neurosurgeons to make a decision with and also reduce the time we all spend in hospital from faster diagnosis. The AGM and elections for office bearers will be taking place at the end of February. Nomination forms will shortly be emailed to all financial members. We are very excited to announce a new sub-committee called awareness and fundraising. This committee will be responsible for fundraising for the HSA and its other functions will be to increase awareness of the HSA & Hydrocephalus both with the public and with medical professionals.
Support HSA Through Recycling
We’re now a registered donation partner with the container deposit schemes in VIC, NSW, QLD, and WA. You can donate your bottle and can refunds directly to HSA. Click here for details on how you can donate through your recycling.
I would like to thank Bree Whittle both personally and on behalf of the HSA for her years of service as both the newsletter editor and as an important member of ourmarketing team as she takes a maternity break from the HSA to focus on growing her family. Thank you again for all you have done and we send our best wishes for the safe arrival of the baby.
I wish all our members and their families good health and hope you had a happy and safe holiday period.
Andrew Garde
President, HSA
Shunt Registry Update
Last updated 8 October 2025
Data period for this report December 2016 – 8 October 2025
The registry now contains 7,935 records belonging to 5,741 distinct patients. Currently, 63 sites are authorized to provide data (4 more sites awaiting approval).
The 2024 annual report has been published and can be found at https://shuntregistry.nsa.org.
Demographics - Gender
49.% Male
50.4 % Female
0.5% gender removed (partial opt-out)
Demographics - Age
64% admissions >= 18 years
34.7 % admissions < 18 years
1.3 % Date of Birth removed (partial opt-out)
Operation Type
4490 Insertions
2786 Revisions
274 Removals
Clinical Diagnosis
Four most common reasons for admission
Haemorrhage 22.2%
Congenital 17.9%
Tumour 15.8%
INPH 17.0%
Number of Admissions
4480 One admission
770 Two
273 Three
104 Four
105 Five or more
Hydro Warrior Spotlight
Every journey with hydrocephalus is unique, but no one has to face it alone. At the Hydrocephalus Support Association (HSA), we recognise the strength and determination of those living with hydrocephalus — our Hydro Warriors. From managing day-to-day challenges to facing surgeries and hospital stays, these individuals show incredible resilience in the face of a lifelong condition.
Hydrocephalus may be part of their story, but it doesn’t define who they are or what they can achieve. Hydro Warriors are living proof that with the right support, no hurdle is insurmountable. Together, we share their stories to raise awareness, build understanding, and remind everyone in the community — you’re never alone.
Aydan Casey
I was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus in-utero. Which meant that from birth it was "all-systems go". Luckily my mother had her support network, particular my maternal grandmother who would become my staunchest advocate. I was lucky also to have secured as my Neurosurgeon...
Mary Smith
Interview of Mary by Wendy Brown on 26 March 2025 This interview was conducted with Mary who was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus and kindly agreed to share her experiences so far. When were you first diagnosed with hydrocephalus? What age group were you in? I...
Maryann Bownds
I don’t normal put this out there. But with not much information knowing about Hydrocephalus (40- 50 age group) and NO CURE!! I thought it was time say something……. In 2016 at 47 years old, I was emergency rushed by plane to Melbourne ( 3hrs away from my home). After...
Latest Articles
First minimally invasive endovascular shunt for adult normal‑pressure hydrocephalus enters clinical use (USA)
First Minimally Invasive Shunt for Adult Hydrocephalus Enters Clinical Use Adults living with normal‑pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) may soon have a new treatment option. In early 2026, neurosurgeons in the United States began treating NPH patients with CereVasc’s eShunt...
If I Ever get Out Of This Place
"If I Ever Get Out Of This Place" Helen O'Toole is a long-standing member of the Hydrocephalus Support Association who spoke at our HSA Conference November 2025 about her Hydro journey and eventual ETV operation (Video available on HSA website). Helen has recently...
Kitea – First-in-human safety and efficacy trials
The Kitea Sensor A paper has been published in Nature Communications relating to the first-in-human safety and efficacy trial of the Kitea Sensor in adults and children with hydrocephalus authored by Simon Malpas et al. The report delves into Long Term Brain Pressure...
Upcoming Meetings
We’re excited to extend an invitation to all Hydrocephalus Support Association (HSA) members for our upcoming Member Meetings.
Most of our meetings are held online, with some offering both in-person and online options, allowing greater flexibility for members to attend. These gatherings are a cornerstone of our community, fostering connections and facilitating shared experiences. Attendees will also gain insight into HSA initiatives, learn about our impact on the Hydrocephalus community in Australia, and discover ways they can contribute to our mission.