Miss Cristina Palacin Garcia

Miss Cristina Palacin Garcia is a Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and expert witness at University College London Hospital, where she has held her specialist position since 2022. Her principal areas of clinical expertise include the assessment and management of patients with brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumours, particularly glioblastoma, rare CNS tumours, complex neurological conditions and specialist neuro-oncology nursing care.

With over nine years of NHS experience, Cristina has developed extensive knowledge of complex neurological and oncology care, supported by senior clinical and leadership responsibilities. Her current practice involves coordinating investigations, treatment pathways and clinical trial participation for patients with primary and metastatic CNS tumours.

She works closely with multidisciplinary and research teams to support treatment planning, symptom management and continuity of care. Her expertise includes managing complex patient needs, recognising neurological deterioration and supporting patients and families throughout their treatment journeys.

Cristina also brings specialist experience in medication safety, having previously led initiatives to improve medicines management and reduce medication-related harm. Her wider clinical background encompasses neurosurgical nursing, patient safety, clinical governance and service improvement, providing a strong foundation for delivering safe, evidence-based and patient-centred care.

Miss Cristina Palacin Garcia commenced her medico-legal practice in 2026, providing independent expert nursing opinion in clinical negligence and personal injury matters. She accepts instructions on behalf of claimants, defendants and as a Single Joint Expert, alongside matters involving Coroner’s Inquests and professional fitness to practise.

Her medico-legal expertise encompasses nursing standards of care, breach of duty, relevant causation issues, condition and prognosis, and the assessment of nursing care and treatment. She provides screening reports, breach of duty and causation reports, condition and prognosis reports, and care and equipment assessments.

Cristina is particularly well placed to consider nursing issues involving neuro-oncology, complex neurological conditions, neurosurgical care and medication safety. Her evidence-based approach helps solicitors evaluate clinical records, identify potential shortcomings in nursing care and understand their implications for patient management and outcomes.

Cristina Palacin Garcia's clinical interests centre on the specialist nursing management of patients with primary and metastatic central nervous system tumours, including complex and rare brain tumours. Her work involves assessing patients' neurological and wider care needs, supporting investigations and coordinating treatment pathways to ensure appropriate and continuous specialist care.

A particular area of interest is the recognition and management of neurological deterioration, including acute neurological assessment and complex symptom management. Her specialist knowledge extends to neurosurgical nursing, particularly pre- and postoperative care following cranial and spinal surgery, and the management of external ventricular drains.

Cristina is also interested in the nursing implications of emerging neuro-oncology treatments, including clinical trial participation and the management of immunotherapy-related toxicities. She works collaboratively with multidisciplinary and research teams to coordinate care, monitor patients' changing needs and support informed clinical decision-making.

Patient safety, effective communication and the provision of individualised support to patients and their families remain central to her clinical approach.