Neurology Academy

The developing role of the Myasthenia Gravis Nurse Specialist Delighted to have worked with a terrific group of myasthenia and neuro-muscular nurse specialists and clinicians to develop our article on the developing role of the myasthenia gravis (MG) nurse specialist published in the British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, This article explores how the role of the MGNS has evolved and what development is required to address future needs of people with MG. Access to new treatments will undoubtably bring greater focus to the condition and the needs of this patient population. In the absence of research evidence about the role examples of how individual nurse specialists are managing their own patient cohorts and utilising a 'Sun Burst' schematic we highlight the crucial elements of the role based on the four areas of specialist nursing practice defined by Hamrick (1989): education advice and support, care coordination, specialist clinical skills and research. The authors feel that the provision of specialist care through the MGNS is a proficient, safety-critical model of care that is essential for the management of patients with the condition. Currently, care for people with MG is inequitable but there should be greater recognition of the condition and the value of specialist nurses in managing patients. At a minimum, all people with MG should be able to access a MGNS. Healthcare organisations and systems need to acknowledge this need and ensure that services are appropriately commissioned. https://lnkd.in/ejqQnYBB Reference Hamric AB, Spross JA. (eds) Clinical nurse specialist in theory and practice. 2nd edition.1989. WB Saunders; Philadelphia PA #Omeadaadams #carolinecarmichael #summerchaudhry #libbyhutchinson #islammahjabin #judekings #ninamarshall #maryquirk #xhelleyrodrigues-alia #hannahsmith #channahewamadduma #ruthstross #diagahesters #neurologyacademy #ritasom #britishjournalneurosciencenursing #myaware #musculardystrophy #neurologyacademy #ruthstross

This is your last chance to join our #PalliativeCare MasterClass in 2 weeks! ⏰ The MasterClass brings you insights from specialists across the entire multi-disciplinary team, providing valuable perspectives on their roles in palliative care. From speech and language therapists discussing eating and drinking with accepted risks, to dieticians looking at supported decision-making, pharmacists discussing deprescribing, to consultants considering unmet needs, this programme brings a diverse range of perspectives and experiences to a broad audience. 💻 Modules 1A & 1B: online and on-demand 🗓 Module 2: 12th - 13th November 2024, Halifax Hall in Sheffield (or virtual attendance!) Who is the course for? This MasterClass is ideally suited to anyone with a specialism in either palliative care or #neurology, and will cater to the needs of each individual's background. Consultants or specialist trainees and specialist nurses from neurology, medicine for the elderly or palliative care, experienced therapists and allied health professionals and GPs working in any of these fields will greatly benefit from this bespoke course. If you would like to be part of this unique course, please submit your application now! Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eHpfK6ME This meeting has been part funded by sponsorship from Zambon UK Limited. The sponsor has had no control over the educational content or the organisation of this meeting. #healthcare #cpdtraining #parkinsons #multiplesclerosis #dementia #motorneuronedisease

It's WORLD POLIO DAY 24 October. To mark the event we've worked with the Neurology Academy to produce a video and news article about the later effects of #polio and the Pathway for #poliosurvivors https://lnkd.in/ejuVmsfj

Today is #WorldPolioDay. How well do you understand the long-term clinical needs of polio survivors? It is estimated that somewhere around 50,000 #polio survivors currently live in the UK, but the true number is likely much higher, possibly in the hundreds of thousands. The aftereffects of polio are complex and require specialised care and management, which does not currently exist. "Post-polio syndrome is not always accepted as a diagnosis, but remember, it’s a clinical diagnosis. It’s not something you find on a nerve conduction study. More than 50% of this cohort suffer from functional deterioration that can occur 15 to 20 years or more after the initial infection." Dr Simon Shaw, clinical director, National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and consultant in rehabilitation medicine Now living with unique long-term symptoms, polio survivors face a healthcare system that often lacks understanding of the virus's impact in later life. They also encounter challenges in accessing local and regional #neurorehabilitation teams that could offer specialised care, long-term support, and disability management. "We need to make sure that the healthcare professionals involved in their care really understand the lifelong nature of the effects of polio. It’s not just a one-time illness; it continues to impact people in many ways throughout their lives." Frances Quinn, trustee, British Polio Fellowship and polio survivor We’ve had the pleasure in working with THE BRITISH POLIO FELLOWSHIP to raise awareness among healthcare professionals. The BPF have developed and launched an optimal clinical pathway for polio survivors, in collaboration with various healthcare professionals and patient groups. "We spent a lot of time consulting with clinicians and the polio community to ensure that the pathway was informed by those who would be working directly with polio survivors. At the heart of this document was the voice of the polio survivor community, as their experiences are crucial to developing effective care strategies." Kripen Dhrona, CEO, British Polio Fellowship Watch the full video with Ruth Stross 💭, our head of nursing, and the British Polio Fellowship on our website: https://lnkd.in/e3cGt4eS

📢 Announcing the National #NeurologyTransformation Meeting 2025 📢 We are excited to launch the 2nd annual National Neurology Transformation Meeting, taking place on 29th January 2025. It's an honour to be delivering this event in partnership with NHS England. #Neurology services are experiencing significant structural change as a result of recent commissioning changes. These changes offer an opportunity to improve care pathways through more effective collaboration, but they also present logistical challenges. NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme has been working to support integrated care systems (ICSs) and hospital trusts to leverage the commissioning changes to improve care for neurological conditions at a population level. The meeting will focus on practical aspects of transformation of ICS-commissioned services, and how we can collectively effect change. What to expect? ▸ An overview of how the organisation of neurology services will change in the coming years ▸ Insights from the national ICB neurology dashboard, and how we can use data to improve pathways and performance ▸ How we can improve unplanned and emergency neurology care in ICSs ▸ The role and impact of community neurology services in transformation ▸ Leveraging the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in supporting transformation of local neurology services ▸ Sharing examples of neurology transformation within ICSs Who should attend? The meeting is intended for everyone involved in neurology operational management and transformation. The meeting is particularly aimed at: ▸ Neurology clinical leads & neuroscience clinical directors ▸ Community neuro team leads ▸ Trust service or business managers ▸ ICB & regional neurology commissioners We want to support you with practical insights and early networking opportunities. Register now to secure your place: https://lnkd.in/eadWDR93 This activity has been financially supported by sponsorship from AbbVie Limited, argenx UK Ltd and Teva UK Limited. The sponsors have had no control over the organisation or educational content of this activity. Martin Wilson, Holger Dr Allroggen, Georgina Carr FRSA, Sue Thomas, Giles Ratcliffe #NeuroTransformation #HealthcareTransformation

Over the past few months, we have been working hard on developing a new online course and now we're excited to launch '#Myastheniagravis digital nurse education'. This comprehensive on-demand course will provide nurses with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The programme covers both basic and advanced topics, making it suitable for nurses new to MG as well as those specialising in #neuromuscular disorders. Course highlights: ▸ over 18 hours of video sessions led by 20 expert speakers ▸ reflective practice exercises and curated resources to deepen your understanding ▸ flexible, on-demand learning: access modules anytime, anywhere, at your own pace ▸ up to date content: stay informed with the latest research, guidelines and best practices in MG care Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eNYJgp-n A huge thank you to all our speakers and contributors who have made this course possible! Channa Hewamadduma, Maya Uccheddu, Maria Elena Farrugia, Hannah Smith, Summer Chaudhry, Mohammad Ashraghi, mary Quirke, Shelly Therese Rodriguez, Charlotte Campbell, Anthony Lawton, Fiona Norwood, Sue Thomas, Myaware (Formerly Myasthenia Gravis Association) This activity has been funded by sponsorship from argenx UK Ltd. The sponsor has had no control over the organisation or educational content of this activity.

Exciting news: we are thrilled to announce that Tom Mace is our new academic director for the Parkinson’s Foundation MasterClass! “I'm so excited to take on this role for the Parkinson's Foundation MasterClass and a huge thanks to Peter and all the team. I remember feeling quite overwhelmed at the beginning of my Parkinson's education and the Parkinson's Academy gave me a brilliant grounding for my inpatient and outpatient work. My ethos is simple: to make the course feel like a classroom not a conference. We want to help delegates get to grips with complex concepts and go away feeling more confident caring for people with #Parkinsons." Tom’s journey with Parkinson’s Academy is inspiring – starting as a delegate, progressing through both the Foundation and Advanced MasterClasses, and now stepping into this leadership role. Congratulations to Tom on this remarkable achievement! 👏 Our recent 47th MasterClass (the most highly booked course of its kind!) marked a new chapter for the Academy under the guidance of Tom. This course was a fantastic success, and we’re already looking forward to planning next year’s programme. Read more about Tom's story and his vision for the Foundation MasterClass here: https://lnkd.in/eGucXqcM

The theme for this year’s #WorldMentalHealthDay is around ‘workplace mental health’. The World Health Organisation states that more than half the world’s population are currently in work and 15% of working-age adults live with a mental disorder. Without effective support, mental disorders and other mental health conditions can affect a person’s confidence and identity at work, capacity to work productively, absences and the ease with which to retain or gain work. Twelve billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety alone (Mental health at work, WHO). Improved #mentalhealth in the workplace can positively impact an organisation’s culture and improve performance outcomes by reducing stressful conditions. In particular, supporting people with visible and invisible #neurologicalconditions in the workplace by meeting their needs and promoting an open space for communication can foster a culture of trust where all employees are able to express their needs and support each other to reach their maximum potential. So how can he create inclusive, supportive workplaces for those with neurological conditions? 🌟 Encourage conversations about mental health and create open spaces for people to share their thoughts when they are going through a difficult time. 🌟 Implement inclusive policies that allow people to work flexible working hours, allowing them to balance personal and professional responsibilities during challenging times. 🌟 Offer training to managers and staff to recognise when someone is experiencing mental health difficulties. 🌟 Raise awareness about neurological conditions and visible and #invisiblesymptoms to reduce the stigma around working with an illness or disability. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/e3p629SK

It's #HospiceCareWeek and we want to recognise the critical role hospices play in supporting patients with complex, advanced neurological conditions. For those living with conditions like advanced Parkinson's, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, or dementia, the complexity of their symptoms can require a more tailored and holistic approach. Hospices offer invaluable, specialised care, stepping in to provide comfort and expertise when patients and their families need it most. As patients' conditions become more complex, healthcare professionals may need to refer them and their families to local hospices or respite centres that are able to cater for their needs. However, it can be difficult to find a hospice, community services or district general hospitals which can supportively manage patients in the later stages of their condition. Additionally, the right educational opportunities to upskill staff across various disciplines, regions and healthcare settings are not always easy to find. Our upcoming #PalliativeCare MasterClass offers the essential training to address these challenges. Tailored for healthcare professionals across primary, secondary, tertiary, community, or hospice settings, this two-day course covers neuro-palliative care principles, from early disease management to end-of-life care. We have a final few in-person places available in Sheffield, and you can also join us virtually! 💻 Modules 1A & 1B: online and on-demand 🗓 Module 2: 12th - 13th November 2024 Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/exvU9DZ2 This meeting has been part funded by sponsorship from Zambon UK Limited. The sponsor has had no control over the educational content or the organisation of this meeting. #hospicecare #healthcare #cpdtraining #parkinsons #multiplesclerosis #dementia #motorneuronedisease

The 2024 ECTRIMS Congress in Copenhagen brought together a diverse community of researchers, clinicians, MS organisations and individuals living with MS, marking 40 years of breakthroughs in MS research and care. It was fantastic to see so many of our MS Academy speakers, faculty and MasterClass delegates in attendance, including Wallace Brownlee, honorary academic director for MS Academy and Ruth Stross 💭, our head of nursing. It was also great to connect with so many of our international colleagues working in MS. #ECTRIMS2024 once again highlighted the collaborative nature of MS research and care, bringing together various stakeholders to share knowledge and explore the future of MS treatment. As research continues to advance, the insights and innovations shared at this year’s congress will play a crucial role in shaping the future of MS therapies and patient care. In our latest article, we reflect on some key topics covered: - Updated McDonald criteria - CAR-T cells - Progressive MS - success and failure - Session by UK Women in Multiple Sclerosis (UKWIMS) group: Agenda setting pre and during clinic appointments - Menopause poster at ECTRIMS - Self-management and self-advocacy: super power to empower - Brain health in MS - Barriers to self advocacy and self-management - The 1st Patient Community Day Check out the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/e5xh7QKT