The BJN Podcast

Parkinson's disease: the nurse's role

Amanda Hulejczuk (Consultant Parkinson's Nurse) and Sarah-Jayne Moore (Lead Neurology Nurse) speak with Rita Som (Editor, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing) about how they provide care for people living with Parkinson's disease. The podcast episode aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering safe, effective and evidence-based care for people with Parkinson's disease, by exploring clinical manifestations, prevalence data, use of device-aided therapies and the role of nurses as part of the broader multidisciplinary team. This educational episode was independently initiated and produced by MA Healthcare, and was supported by an independent medical education grant from Britannia. 

Epilepsy in pregnancy

Sheila Shepley (nurse practitioner, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust) speaks with Rita Som (editor, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing) about caring for and managing women with epilepsy during pregnancy. The podcast episode aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering safe, coordinated and evidence-based care for women with epilepsy during pregnancy and postpartum, by exploring the clinical, pharmacological and psychosocial complexities involved in balancing seizure control with maternal and foetal safety. This educational episode was initiated and funded by Neuraxpharm UK Ltd. The date of recording was February 2026. Job code NXUK/E/0326/20. The views expressed are those of Sheila Shepley. Bibliography 1.              Felker A, Patel R, Kotnis R, Kenyon S, Knight M. Saving lives, improving mothers' care compiled report: lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2021-23. Oxford: University of Oxford; 2025 2.              Razaz N, Igland J, Bjørk MH et al. Risk of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women with epilepsy. JAMA Neurol. 2024;81(9):985–995. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.2375 3.              UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register. Conducting research to make pregnancy for people with epilepsy safer. 2026. https://www.epilepsyandpregnancy.co.uk/ (accessed 16 February 2026) 4.              Herzog AG, Mandle HB, Cahill KE, Fowler KM, Hauser WA. Predictors of unintended pregnancy in women with epilepsy. Neurology. 2017;88(8):728–733. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000003637 5.              Samsonsen C, Karanauskaitė U, Stenbacka EJ, Hjelvik ES, Rektorli L, Brodtkorb E. Pregnancy planning in women with epilepsy: a single center observational study with focus on epilepsy type. Seizure. 2024;123:152–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2024.11.010   6.              Fu Y, Shi F, Sha L et al. Association of seizure control during pregnancy with adverse offspring outcomes in women with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2025;96(7):621–629. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2024-335751   7.              Askarieh A, MacBride-Stewart S, Kirby J et al. Delivery of care, seizure control and medication adherence in women with epilepsy during pregnancy. Seizure. 2022;100:24–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2022.06.002 8.              Lupattelli A, Spigset O, Nordeng H. Adherence to medication for chronic disorders during pregnancy: results from a multinational study. Int J Clin Pharm. 2014;36(1):145–153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-013-9864-y 9.              SUDEP Action. Women left in dark over pregnancy and SUDEP risks. 2023. https://sudep.org/women-left-in-dark-over-pregnancy-and-sudep-risks/ (accessed 16 February 2026) 10.           Harden CL, Meador KJ, Pennell PB et al. Management issues for women with epilepsy-Focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): II. Teratogenesis and perinatal outcomes: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Epilepsia. 2009;50(5):1237–1246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02129.x 11.           Freund B, Chen B, Kaplan PW, Johnson EL. Managing antiseizure medications in pregnancy: is earlier and more frequent monitoring better?. Neurol Clin Pract. 2023;13(4):e200169. https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200169 12.           Hope OA, Harris KM. Management of epilepsy during pregnancy and lactation. BMJ. 2023;382:e074630. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-074630 13.           Yasguclukal M, Acar Z, Bastan B, Mutlu A, Cokar O. Self-discontinuation of antiseizure medication during pregnancy increases postpartum seizure frequency. Experimed. 2022;12(3):174–180. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1183414 14.           National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Epilepsies in children, young people and adults. 2025. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng217 (accessed 16 February 2026) 15.           Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Epilepsy in pregnancy (Green-top Guideline No. 68). 2016. https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/green-top-guidelines/epilepsy-in-pregnancy-green-top-guideline-no-68/ (accessed 16 February 2026) 16.           Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Diagnosis and management of epilepsy in adults. 2018. https://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/diagnosis-and-management-of-epilepsy-in-adults/ (accessed 16 February 2026) 17.           Weckesser A, Hughes A, Dyson J et al. Experiences of pregnancy and reproductive health for women living with epilepsy: a systematic review. Seizure. 2025;133:106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2025.10.011

Older-onset epilepsy

Sheila Shepley (nurse practitioner, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust) speaks with Rita Som (editor, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing) about epilepsy that first presents in later life. This podcast episode is intended for UK healthcare professionals interested in epilepsy. It aims to improve understanding by highlighting why diagnosis can be challenging, how causes and seizure types differ from younger populations; and what special considerations are required when managing treatment, risk and longer-term support in older adults. This educational episode was initiated and funded by Neuraxpharm UK Ltd. The date of recording was February 2026. Job code NXUK/E/0326/15. The views expressed are those of Sheila Shepley. Bibliography 1.              Wigglesworth S, Neligan A, Dickson JM et al. The incidence and prevalence of epilepsy in the United Kingdom 2013-2018: a retrospective cohort study of UK primary care data. Seizure. 2023;105:37–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2023.01.003 2.              Assis TR, Bacellar A, Costa G, Nascimento OJ. Etiological prevalence of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in hospitalized elderly in a Brazilian tertiary center – Salvador – Brazil. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2015;73(2):83–89. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20140217 3.              Legriel S, Brophy GM. Managing status epilepticus in the older adult. J Clin Med. 2016;5(5):53. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm5050053   4.              Cheng S. Non-convulsive status epilepticus in the elderly. Epileptic Disord. 2014;16(4):385–394. https://doi.org/10.1684/epd.2014.0709 5.              Manacheril R, Faheem U, Labiner D, Drake K, Chong J. psychosocial impact of epilepsy in older adults. Healthcare (Basel). 2015;3(4):1271–1283. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare3041271 6.              Wojewodka G, McKinlay A, Ridsdale L. Best care for older people with epilepsy: a scoping review. Seizure. 2021;85:70–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2020.12.007  

Navigating nursing's employability crisis

Welcome back to the BJN podcast. In this episode, Sean Boyle (Editor, British Journal of Nursing) sits down with Aby Mitchell (Senior Lecturer in Nursing Education and Faculty Lead for Simulation, Kings College London) and Aghogho Wanogho (Recent Nursing Graduate of Kings College London and Clinical Simulation Teacher, Kings College London University) to unpack the political, social, and workforce factors driving the employability crisis and to discuss what needs to change to ensure that nursing remains not just a profession of purpose, but one with a viable future. We're always keen to hear your feedback! If you'd like to share your thoughts on today's epsiode, drop us an email at: bjn@markallengroup.com  Like what you've heard here today? Check out the BJN website for more information on all things nursing: https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/  The BJN podcast was edited by Tom Austin-Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasaustinmorgan/ 

Cost of living crisis: what resources are available for nurses?

Welcome back to the BJN podcast. In this episode, Sean Boyle (Editor, British Journal of Nursing) sits down with Deepa Korea MBE (Director, RCN Foundation) and Sarah McGloin (Head of Grants and Impact, RCN Foundation) to talk about how the crisis is impacting the profession, what legislative and policy changes should be prioritised to help the nursing workforce, and how such collective pressures are placing a strain on patient care. If you'd like to reach out to find out more about what help is available from the RCN Foundation: https://rcnfoundation.rcn.org.uk/Grants-and-funding/Hardship-grants We're always keen to hear your feedback! If you'd like to share your thoughts on today's epsiode, drop us an email at: bjn@markallengroup.com Like what you've heard here today? Check out the BJN website for more information on all things nursing: https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/ The BJN podcast was edited by Tom Austin-Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasaustinmorgan/