ACNR - Neurovoices copertina

ACNR - Neurovoices

ACNR - Neurovoices

Di: Rachael Hansford
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A proposito di questo titolo
 In this podcast series, we speak to leading figures in neurology and rehabilitation and gain an insight into their life and work. Disturbo fisico e malattia Igiene e vita sana
Episodi
  • How to Use a Fork - The Science & Humanity of Neurorehabilitation

    How to Use a Fork - The Science & Humanity of Neurorehabilitation
    Aug 17 2026
    In this episode of ACNR’s Neurovoices podcast, Co-Editor-in-Chief Dr Ann Donnelly speaks to consultant neurologist and author Dr Orlando Swayne about his book, How to Use a Fork: Stories of Mending the Broken Brain.Drawing on the experiences of people recovering from stroke and other acquired brain injuries, the book combines patient stories with the science of neuroplasticity and the practical realities of neurorehabilitation. Orlando explains why recovery does not necessarily stop after six months, how intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation can help people rebuild skills and independence, and why access to appropriate services remains so uneven.The conversation also explores the importance of skilled therapists alongside new technology, the neurologist’s role within the rehabilitation team, and the value of understanding complex cognitive problems such as neglect, inattention and apraxia. Orlando discusses the ethical challenges of writing about patients, his transition from clinical to more lyrical writing, and why neurologists often make such compelling storytellers.This episode offers a thoughtful and hopeful exploration of what neurorehabilitation can make possible - and why the “neuro” should remain at its heart.Guest Information:Dr Orlando Swayne, MA (Cantab), MB BS, MRCP (Neurol), PhDOrlando Swayne is a consultant neurologist who works primarily in the neurorehabilitation of acquired brain injury, including stroke, but who also has a wide general neurology practice. He is a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), where he is lead neurologist for the Neurorehabilitation Unit, and is a member of the Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation at the UCL Institute of Neurology. He also works at Northwick Park Hospital and the Wellington Hospital.He has published widely on the control of movement by the brain and the role of brain plasticity in recovery following stroke.His book, How to Use a Fork, brings together the science of brain plasticity with deeply human stories of survival, adaptation and recovery.Orlando Swayne’s UCLH profileOrlando Swayne’s ACNR author profileKey Discussion Points / Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Ann Donnelly introduces Orlando Swayne and How to Use a Fork.01:55 – Why write this book? The privilege of getting to know patients during prolonged inpatient rehabilitation and following their recovery journeys.04:30 – The rehabilitation gap: Increasing scientific understanding of recovery contrasted with patchy and declining access to rehabilitation, particularly in the community.07:30 – Technology versus the fundamentals of rehabilitation: Why robotics and other innovations can be valuable but cannot replace skilled therapists and multidisciplinary care.10:00 – Explaining a complex specialty: Using patient stories to communicate the medical, cognitive, psychological, family and social dimensions of neurological recovery.11:26 – Writing about patients ethically: Consent, confidentiality and the use of composite characters based on several clinical experiences.12:56 – Reconnecting with former patients: What Orlando learnt from meeting people years later—and why recovery does not simply stop at six months.15:31 – From clinical letters to lyrical writing: What can be lost when patients’ stories are reduced to bullet points, and the influence of neurologist-writers such as Oliver Sacks.17:48 – Why neurologists make good writers: The importance of close observation and noticing movement, speech, behaviour and the whole person.19:40 – Writing How to Use a Fork: Orlando’s six-month break from clinical work, his disciplined writing routine and the benefits of stepping off the medical treadmill.21:51 – Teaching through stories and metaphors: Making complicated neuroscience understandable, accessible and memorable.23:13 – Neurorehabilitation in medical training: Why every neurologist needs to understand chronic neurodisability, regardless of subspecialty.26:35 – Keeping the “neuro” in neurorehabilitation: The essential contribution of neurology, rehabilitation medicine, neuropsychiatry and the wider multidisciplinary team.28:22 – The art and science of recovery: Supporting diagnosis, prognosis and clinical coordination while recognising the central contribution of therapists.30:52 – Why choose neurorehabilitation? The fulfilment that comes from working closely with patients, families and an expert multidisciplinary team.31:39 – Closing thoughts.Resources & Links:How to Use a Fork: Stories of Mending the Broken Brain by Orlando Swayne – book information and purchasing optionsHow to Use a Fork - Stories of Mending the Broken Brain | ACNR book reviewACNR’s Neurovoices podcastExplore ACNR’s open-access contentJoin the ACNR online communityIf you enjoyed this episode, follow ACNR’s Neurovoices podcast and share it with colleagues.You can also:Sign up for ACNR’s free email ...
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    29 min
  • Training the leaders of tomorrow: why ABN clinical fellowships matter for the future of neurology

    Training the leaders of tomorrow: why ABN clinical fellowships matter for the future of neurology
    Mar 11 2026

    The UK faces a major neurology workforce challenge. But how do we develop the clinical and academic leaders needed to build services for the future?

    In this episode of Neurovoices, ACNR Publisher Rachael Hansford speaks with Neil Robertson, President of the Association of British Neurologists, about the workforce pressures facing UK neurology and how ABN clinical fellowships aim to support the next generation of leaders.

    The ABN workforce report highlights the scale of the challenge facing neurology services. The UK currently has around 1.6 whole-time equivalent consultant neurologists per 100,000 population, far below the European average. But the issue is not simply one of numbers: modern neurology services are increasingly complex, multidisciplinary, and shaped by rapidly advancing therapies.

    In this conversation, Professor Robertson explains why reliable workforce data has been difficult to obtain, why counting whole-time equivalents rather than headcount is critical for service planning, and how the ABN hopes improved data will support stronger business cases for neurology services across the UK.

    The discussion also explores wider issues affecting the specialty, including:

    • increasing consultant workload and changing working patterns
    • the growing importance of multidisciplinary teams in neurological care
    • the decline in academic neurology and higher research degrees
    • the challenge of fitting subspecialisation into a shortened training curriculum

    Against this backdrop, ABN clinical fellowships are designed to identify and support talented clinicians early in their careers, helping to develop the academic, clinical and leadership skills needed to shape the future of neurology.

    As Professor Robertson notes, some of the most successful neurological services have been built by individual clinicians who combine patient advocacy with system leadership. These fellowships aim to nurture exactly those future “enthusiologists” - clinicians who will champion better neurological services for patients in the years ahead.
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    13 min
  • Working Less Than Full Time - An update

    Working Less Than Full Time - An update
    Dec 1 2025
    🎙️ NeuroVoices Episode: Working less than full time – an update

    Host: Rachael Hansford

    Guests: Dr Amy Ross Russell and Dr Rhian Raftopoulos

    Length: Approx. 41 minutes

    🔍 Episode summary

    In this follow-up to their 2020 article for ACNR, Dr Amy Ross Russell (Southampton and Queen Square) and Dr Rhian Raftopoulos (King’s College Hospital) reflect on their experiences of working less than full time (LTFT) through training and into consultancy. They revisit the personal, professional, and systemic changes that have shaped flexible working in neurology – and offer practical insights for anyone considering or navigating LTFT working.

    Topics include the rise in LTFT working, gender disparities, rota challenges, work-life boundaries, email overload, and the emotional tension of wearing dual hats as clinician and parent. Both clinicians share honest advice, useful statistics, and compassionate perspectives on building a sustainable career in neurology.

    👩‍⚕️ About the guests

    Dr Amy Ross Russell is a new consultant neurologist in Southampton and at Queen Square, London, with a strong interest in supporting flexible working.

    Dr Rhian Raftopoulos is a consultant neurologist at King’s College Hospital, London, specialising in neuroinflammatory disorders. She has worked less than full time since 2017.

    ⏱️ Timestamps

    00:00 – Introductions and background to the episode

    01:41 – Has LTFT working increased since 2018?

    03:59 – Is flexible working still gender-skewed?

    04:43 – Reasons for going LTFT and expectations at the time

    07:00 – Policy changes: no longer needing a reason to go LTFT

    07:46 – Key challenges of LTFT training and consultancy

    12:20 – Did LTFT really help work-life balance?

    14:03 – Specialty differences and the male perspective

    17:00 – Role of partners and importance of reliable childcare

    21:06 – Changing perceptions: how colleagues view LTFT now

    26:01 – Has consultancy made flexible working easier?

    29:02 – Practical advice for choosing working patterns

    31:39 – Consultant responsibilities and workload realities

    31:47 – Final advice for trainees: know your rights, be kind to yourself

    36:40 – Would they choose LTFT again? (spoiler: yes!)

    37:00 – Has it changed how they mentor?

    39:33 – The future of medical work: toward flexibility for all

    🔗 Resources & links
    • Original 2020 ACNR article: “Working less than full time”
    • ABN workforce census (2020)
    • BMA: Flexible Training Guidance
    • Join the ACNR forums to discuss this episode
    🧠 Key quotes“You want to be everything to everyone all the time.” – Amy Ross Russell “Don’t worry about doing things your own way.” – Rhian Raftopoulos “Good childcare is key – spend your money on it.” – Amy Ross Russell “You need to be organised, proactive, flexible and collaborative.” – Rhian Raftopoulos🙌 Credits

    Host & Producer: Rachael Hansford

    Podcast by: ACNR – Advancing Clinical Neuroscience & Rehabilitation

    Visit: www.acnr.co.uk
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    41 min
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