In this episode we meet Gareth, a young man with an extremely severe epilepsy which was not responding to optimal anti-epileptic drug therapy.  His mother was an amazing lady who searched far and wide for options to help treat his epilepsy.  She learned about a way of treating epilepsy using a device called a Vagus Nerve Stimulator about the same time that I came across it at an epilepsy meeting.  At the time only one child in the UK had had the device implanted and we had to work hard to...

Welcome to Episode 2 - let's dance.  In this episode we meet Ella who presents with a condition known as Sydenham's chorea.  We discuss the impact of this on her and he family and talk about the history, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of this fascinating condition.

This is the first episode in the second series.  I start my consultant career in Sheffield. On my first ward round I meet a mother who has just lost her child with what is thought to be cerebral palsy.  This leads to a diagnostic odyssey which results in diagnosis of a very rare condition known as Aicardi Goutières syndrome - I introduce you to this child's brother and, subsequently, his sister both of whom have the same condition.  We see the impact of this diagnosis on the family and learn...

I speak with a friend and colleague of mine with whom I worked in Yorkhill.  He is now a Professor of Clinical Genetics at the MRC Genetics Unit in Edinburgh and has devoted his life and career to understanding the genetic and metabolic basis of severe...

This is a short episode which examines the outcome for Sophie who we met in Episode 12. Although her early development appeared to be on track, as she became older it became clear that she was developing difficulties with communication, not only in...

I had an amazing three months in Sydney.  This episode outlines my time there - the people I met, the stimulation of the interactions and the challenges of reviewing data from many, many children with complex neuropathies.  We discuss two children - one...

I return to Yorkhill only to find myself attached to paediatric cardiology.  We discuss a tiny baby, Tom, who is admitted with a very serious congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries. The challenges his parents face and the...

As part of training in paediatric neurology I have a year long attachment at the nearby adult neurology unit. We discuss the challenges that adult neurology brings and I recall three patients who made a particular impact on me for a variety of reasons. ...

I talk with another friend and colleague from my time at Yorkhill.  He tells us something about his career since he left paediatrics and we discuss a child we both came across who had a condition known as Cystic Fibrosis. There is a short update about...

A short episode revealing the joy and challenge of children having to spend time in hospital at Christmas. I present the story of a young girl with severe epilepsy who spent one of many Christmases in hospital and discuss how the staff made it special...

I plan to leave Glasgow for a research post in London but a last minute "reprieve" results in promotion to a Senior Registrar post remaining in Yorkhill.  We discuss an extremely sick child who presented with a condition which, although still very rare,...

In this episode I discuss a baby who, at first glance, appeared to have extensive brain injury following a respiratory illness called bronchiolitis. The baby was unable to breathe or move.  In fact, the cause for the baby's severe neurological...

For the first time I interview a friend of mine, with whom I worked as a registrar in Glasgow.  He shares two stories which tell important lessons about always thinking about the individual, even when considering the wider health of the nation.  The...

This episode discusses two children - one of whom I saw as a floppy baby on the neonatal unit.  She turned out to have a condition known as Prader Willi syndrome and I discuss what this condition is.  I also describe a little boy who I met because of...

Early days as a registrar in neurology.  I discuss a child with Friedreich's ataxia and describe this condition.  Some musing on the importance of effective communication when breaking bad news. A little girl presents with reflex anoxic seizures and I...

My return to Yorkhill as a registrar in paediatrics and starting in neurology.  The challenges of acute paediatric on call - a child with very severe meningitis but an excellent outcome.  Learning lessons about the importance of seeing the child and not...

Experiences in general paediatrics and a first experience as a middle grade doctor in neonatology.  We meet a child with myopathy, consider the serious condition known as acute epiglottis (rarely seen now) and meet a tiny baby with a very serious bowel...

The start of training in Glasgow.  Attachment in paediatric cardiology and the experience of a baby with ventricular septal defect.  Some information about VSD. Important lessons in general paediatrics and a first exposure to neonatology.  The story of...

Introducing my career in medicine - beginning with my medical school training in Edinburgh and early work in Zimbabwe.  Two uplifting stories about sick children and a brief description of how a ventilator works.