Dr Bruno Silva

Dr Bruno Silva is a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. He works within the Trust’s Neuropsychiatry Service, where he runs a general neuropsychiatry clinic and leads the Chronic Fatigue Service.

He specialises in the assessment and management of complex neuropsychiatric presentations, particularly where psychiatric, cognitive and behavioural symptoms arise in the context of neurological illness, acquired brain injury, epilepsy, functional neurological disorder, neurodevelopmental conditions, neurodegenerative disease, ME/CFS or Long COVID.

Dr Silva has worked with patients with neuropsychiatric disorders since 2014. His clinical practice involves careful assessment of the relationship between brain function, cognition, behaviour, mental health and day-to-day functioning, including cases in which organic, functional, developmental and psychosocial factors overlap.

Alongside his NHS practice, Dr Silva is an Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Birmingham, where he leads the Brain & Mind module on the MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry. His combined clinical and academic work supports his expertise in complex adult neuropsychiatric assessment.

Dr Bruno Silva has undertaken medico-legal work since 2022. His practice is principally focused on personal injury matters and clinical negligence. He accepts instructions on behalf of both claimants and defendants.

Most of his reports address condition and prognosis, causation, functional impact and treatment needs. He may also comment on breach of duty where the issues fall directly within his neuropsychiatric expertise.

Dr Silva’s medico-legal work concerns individuals aged 16 and over with psychiatric, cognitive or behavioural symptoms arising in the context of neurological illness, acquired brain injury or other complex neuropsychiatric conditions. He is particularly suited to cases requiring careful differentiation between neurological, psychiatric, functional, developmental and psychosocial contributors to a presentation.

His areas of expertise include acquired brain injury, organic psychiatric disorders, epilepsy-related neuropsychiatric presentations, functional neurological disorder, ME/CFS, Long COVID, neurodegenerative disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions. His experience with ADHD and autism is particularly applicable where pre-existing neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities may affect symptom presentation, recovery, functioning or prognosis following injury or illness.

Dr Silva has experience responding to Part 35 questions, participating in joint expert discussions and preparing joint statements, and attending conferences with counsel.

Dr Silva’s clinical interests centre on the assessment and management of complex neuropsychiatric presentations in which psychiatric, cognitive and behavioural symptoms occur alongside neurological disease, acquired brain injury, neurodevelopmental conditions or functional symptoms.

His general neuropsychiatry practice includes patients with epilepsy-related psychiatric difficulties, organic psychiatric disorders, acquired brain injury, functional neurological disorder, neurodegenerative conditions and complex presentations involving overlapping neurological, psychiatric and psychosocial factors. His work requires careful diagnostic formulation, particularly where symptoms such as cognitive impairment, mood disturbance, behavioural change, fatigue and reduced functioning may have multiple contributing causes. He is experienced in distinguishing primary psychiatric disorders from psychiatric symptoms arising secondary to physical illness, disability or prolonged functional impairment.

Dr Silva also has substantial clinical experience in ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. This background is particularly relevant when assessing patients in whom pre-existing neurodevelopmental traits or conditions interact with neurological illness and acquired injury.

Dr Silva is an Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Birmingham, where he leads the Brain & Mind module on the MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry.

He has contributed to teaching and training in clinical neuropsychiatry and has undertaken research in the field. His academic work includes contributions to peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, conference proceedings and scientific posters, and he has been invited to present at national and international meetings.

His academic interests complement his clinical practice, particularly at the interface of neurological disease, cognition, behaviour, and psychiatric symptoms.