Nurses’ emotional experiences will be affected by the wide variety within their roles and people with neurological conditions. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the emotional experiences of professional nurses involved in the care of patients with neurological disorders. A case study was conducted on the emotional experiences of a professional nurse working in a neurology ward. Negative feelings included: a sense of urgency under time constraints; conflicts between the patient's intentions and the nurse's intentions; and confusion about patients manipulating nursing care. In response the following were raised: reducing the burden by working together as a team and learning from experience. Positive feelings with regard to having one's efforts recognised by patients were also noted. The nurse experienced negative emotions arising from time constraints and relationships with patients. Team-based support, opportunities for self-reflection, and recognition of successful nursing practice may help nurses manage these emotional challenges. These findings will be relevant to neuroscience nurses in the UK caring for people with progressive neurological conditions, who will encounter similar tensions between individualised care and limited clinical resources.
Individuals with learning disabilities encounter unique challenges in acquiring new knowledge and skills, which can hinder effective oral hygiene practices. This commentary aims to critically evaluate the methods used in a systematic review by AlJameel et al (2024) on the effectiveness of oral health promotion for individuals with learning disabilities and to contextualise its findings for clinical practice. This commentary uses Amstar 2 to critically appraise the methods used in the systematic review by AlJameel et al (2024) and contextualises these findings in regards to nursing practice. The methods used within the systematic review have notable methodological issues, with the result that the findings from the review by AlJameel et al (2024) should be viewed with caution. There is tentative evidence to suggest that educational and supervised tooth-brushing interventions (encouraging independent manual skills/tooth-brushing techniques) for individuals with learning disabilities, along with caregiver education, may improve oral and behavioural outcomes, but standardised approaches and further research into clinical and contextual factors are needed.
This case study of a 66-year-old woman with genetic generalised epilepsy highlights challenges experienced in tolerating standard vagus nerve stimulation settings, as a result of side effects. Adjustments including lower signal frequency, disabling auto-stimulation, converting to a rapid duty cycle and reducing pulse width to 130 µsec enabled gradual increases in output current, resulting in improved tolerability and consequently better seizure control.
Stroke is rising in low- and middle-income countries across the world. The article discusses the burden this creates in African countries and highlights the role of stroke support organisations. The authors also discuss the set-up of a stroke support organisation in Malawi and its achievements.
Vagus nerve stimulation has been a recognised therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy for many years both for the paediatric and adult cohort. The purpose of this article is to share knowledge from practice in the running of a vagus nerve stimulation clinic in a paediatric setting. It is to share research in the identification of patients, early implantation, benefits, risks and challenges of vagus nerve stimulation, both for epilepsy nurse specialists and patients. There are also some practical hints and tips for paediatric epilepsy nurse specialists vagus nerve stimulation programmers. This article will also give an oversight of vagus nerve stimulation therapy for epilepsy nurse specialists and clinicians who do not manage these patients but require an underpinning knowledge to ensure timely treatment options are used.
Background: Interdisciplinary teamwork, delivered through multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), is widely recognised in high-quality stroke care. However, its definition, operationalisation and governance within clinical practice guidelines remain unclear. Aims: To map how guidelines describe the MDT and teamwork across stroke care. Methods: A rapid scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Documents were synthesised using the Donabedian framework, focusing on structural, process and implementation elements of interdisciplinary teamwork. Results: Some 21 documents were included (13 system-level and 8 topic-specific). Interdisciplinary teamwork was consistently endorsed and structurally embedded, particularly in stroke unit and rehabilitation models, but was primarily operationalised through task-based clinical processes rather than governed standardised multidisciplinary team structures. Leadership roles, co-ordination, ownership and measurable teamwork indicators were infrequently reported. Conclusions: A lack of Donabedian-aligned teamwork indicators constrains implementation, accountability and evaluation of interdisciplinary stroke care, particularly regarding nursing and allied health professional contributions.
Reduced swallow efficiency is a common complication of stroke, often necessitating nasogastric tube feeding to maintain adequate nutrition, hydration and medication delivery. Effective tube management is essential for optimising clinical outcomes and preventing complications such as malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia and delayed rehabilitation. However, practical challenges, particularly poor tube securement, frequently disrupt the consistent supply of nutrients and medications, exacerbating physiological deterioration, prolonging hospitalisation and increasing mortality risk. This article critically examines the potential impact of ineffective tube securement in stroke patients requiring enteral feeding. Drawing on clinical experience, research evidence and national guidelines, this discussion explores the implications of repeated nasogastric tube dislodgement and the consequences of suboptimal securement strategies. The aim is to inform and enhance clinical practice by supporting healthcare professionals in improving nasogastric tube management techniques, ultimately promoting safer care and better patient outcomes.
The care and management of women with epilepsy in pregnancy and postpartum is complex and there is a great need to coordinate obstetric, epilepsy and primary care to maximise the safety of women and their unborn babies. There are high percentages of unplanned pregnancies, failure of birth control – especially to women on enzyme-inducing anti-seizure medication – and women not taking folate preconception. Healthcare professionals and women with epilepsy face many challenges with having to balance maternal and fetal risks owing to seizures versus the teratogenic risks associated with exposure to anti-seizure medication. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy remains the highest cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. The aim of this article is to assess how epilepsy and anti-seizure medication affect maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy, review evidence-based approaches for managing epilepsy safely during pregnancy, and identify practical clinical considerations for labour, delivery and postpartum for women with epilepsy.
This article explores the historical progression of thrombolysis services in the UK, tracing key milestones in their development. It examines the advances in clinical practice, policy changes and the impact of emerging research on treatment protocols in the UK. By reflecting on the evolution of thrombolysis, this discussion highlights the challenges, innovations and improvements that have shaped current service delivery, ultimately influencing patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.
MS Trust's Conference 2026, held at the end of March, was more than a scientific meeting, it was a community of practice characterised by openness, generosity and shared purpose. With a strong education programme and a buddy system for first-timers, it aimed to support all the many professionals championing the needs of people with multiple sclerosis.
Encouraging student nurses and nurses to publish their work in nursing journals is a vital element of nursing education and research. Ruth Trout explains why
At BANN, members connect face-to-face with colleagues across the neuroscience community, while also growing the committee to ensure representation from all areas of neuroscience nursing. The committee meets regularly and aims to promote excellence, collaboration and innovation within neuroscience nursing. In this BJNN, Lindsey Keepax reports on the spring 2026 meeting of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons, and looks forward to BANN sharing its 100th anniversary conference on 15–16 October in London.
This month, Mary Braine provides an update from the British Association of Neuroscience Nurses. First, news of this year's conference and abstract submission; this year's DAISY UK award; and an update on the standard of practice for the management of external ventricular drains in adults.
While neurology services might be considered by many to be delivered in secondary and tertiary care, community neurology is emerging as a critical component of modern services as the UK's NHS works to deliver specialist neurological care closer to home. The NHS 10 year Plan ‘shift to the left’ emphasises that for the future all care will entail providing a comprehensive model for community neurology services that emphasises multidisciplinary rehabilitation, long-term support and integrated care pathways across acute, community and social care. With this expansion of community neurology, neurology nursing will be central to the viability of services, as will investment in educating the generalist nursing workforce to enable the delivery of equitable, person-centred care.
Background: Acute ischaemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Intravenous alteplase has long been the standard thrombolytic therapy; however, tenecteplase has emerged as a promising alternative because of its pharmacokinetic advantages and simplified administration. Objective: To critically evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase compared to alteplase in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke, with a focus on functional outcomes and risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage. Methods: A structured narrative review of 10 randomised controlled trials involving adult patients with acute ischaemic stroke was conducted. The primary outcomes were functional independence at 90 days, measured by the modified Rankin Scale (0–1) and the incidence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage within 36 hours. Studies included comparisons of standard-dose alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) with varying doses of tenecteplase, most commonly 0.25 mg/kg. Results: Across the included trials, tenecteplase at 0.25 mg/kg demonstrated comparable and in some studies superior, efficacy to alteplase in achieving good functional outcomes. The incidence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was similar between groups, with no significant increase observed with tenecteplase. Higher doses (0.4 mg/kg) were associated with increased bleeding risk and poorer outcomes. Conclusions: Tenecteplase at 0.25 mg/kg is a safe and effective alternative to alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke thrombolysis. Its single-bolus administration and cost-effectiveness offer additional advantages, particularly in pre-hospital or resource-limited settings. Further large-scale blinded trials are warranted to confirm these findings and guide clinical practice.
