The BJN Podcast

Welcome back to the BJN podcast. In this episode, Tom Allaway (Editor and Associate Publisher, British Journal of Nursing) sits down with Emma Williams (Senior Research Nurse Manager, Velindre University NHS Trust) to explore what nursing research looks like in Wales - how the country has built its research infrastructure and career pathways, why cross-sector collaboration between the NHS, academia and industry matters, and what it takes to grow a research culture that nurses at every stage of their career can be part of.
We're always keen to hear your feedback! If you'd like to share your thoughts on today's episode, 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/

In this special episode hosted by the British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing (BJNN), Ruth Stross (Director of Services and Health Professional Lead at MS Trust) and Rasha Abdelfahim (Consultant Neurologist) speak with Rita Som (Editor of BJNN) about smouldering neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis. The discussion covers the definition of smouldering neuroinflammation, disease monitoring and therapeutic and lifestyle advice for patients. This educational episode was funded by Sanofi, however all content is developed and editorially controlled by MA Healthcare.

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.

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
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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
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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

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