News & Press https://www.theabn.org/news/default.asp Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:31:20 GMT Mon, 20 Jul 2026 11:06:00 GMT Copyright © 2026 Association of British Neurologists Vacancies for the Neurology Specialty Certificate Examining Board https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=731431 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=731431 The Association of British Neurologists and the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK are seeking to appoint members of the SCE Neurology Examining Board.

The successful applicant will assist the Chair and Medical Secretary in the running of the SCE to ensure that all academic objectives and standards set by the General Medical Council are met; attend annual meetings of the Board, convened to set examination papers; review candidate performance in the most recent diet; assist with the development of the SCE; act on the advice of the MRCP(UK) Management and Policy Board and Examining Boards on policy and academic matters relating to the Examinations; and support MRCP(UK) Central Office on the delivery of the Examinations.

The role mainly involves reviewing exam questions for academic content and currency. Feedback from other Board members has consistently been very positive, describing the role as extremely fulfilling in so far as it provides an excellent source of CPD and invaluable interaction with colleagues.

A full list of the post’s responsibilities is set out in: The Responsibilities and Duties of Members of the Part 1, Part 2 and Specialty Certificate Examining Boards. In addition, a copy of the remit and responsibilities of the examining board can be found on the federation website.

Applicants should meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:

  • hold the MRCP(UK) or an equivalent postgraduate diploma
  • be practising as a specialist in Neurology, and a member or fellow of one of the three Colleges
  • be registered with a licence to practise and in good standing on the GMC specialist register
  • be actively engaged in the training of junior doctors in the UK (or within the last two years)
  • be up-to-date as appropriate with relevant national guidelines, CPD requirements, employer’s
    equality and diversity training and appraisal process
  • experience of the exam process (Question writing group or Standard Setting Group) would be an advantage

This is a non-salaried position though all reasonable expenses and travel costs will be met by MRCP(UK) Central Office in line with the Federation expenses policy.


The tenure of board appointments is three years, with the opportunity to undertake a second term by mutual agreement with the Chair. Successful applicants are required to attend the meeting of the Neurology Specialty Certificate Examining Board which will either be held on Teams or at The Royal College of Physicians. This is subject to regular attendance at meetings and remaining in good standing with the GMC as these will be monitored.

Applications for the post should be submitted to mrcpexamboards@thefederation.uk. This should include the following documents:

  • CV – including contact details, current position, GMC number and College membership
  • Covering letter – outlining your suitability for the role and demonstrating how you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above

All applications will be considered by the Chair of the neurology Examining Board.

Deadline: 9 September 2026.

]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:06:00 GMT Health leaders call on Secretary of State to put health at the forefront of discussions at COP29 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=688483 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=688483 A letter signed by health leaders representing organisations across the UK, including the ABN, has called on UK government ministers attending COP29 to put health at the forefront of discussions and re-establish global leadership.

The letter includes 2 key calls to action: 

  • Demonstrate global leadership by delivering ambition domestically through accelerated action to phase out fossil fuels and increasing investment in the development and use of renewable energy#
  • Step up to meet international financial commitments to pay for the UK’s global contribution to the climate crisis.

The full letter is available to read on the UKHACC website. 

]]> Thu, 5 Dec 2024 16:32:00 GMT Applications Open for Decarbonising the health and social care system Fund https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=688482 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=688482 NIHR are looking to fund research into decarbonising the health and social care system. As part of our climate  health and sustainability commitments to help reduce carbon emissions and achieve net zero, this cross-programme funding opportunity will run annually for the next 5 years. There will be £25 million total funding available across the 5 years, with a new application process opening each year.

This is a two-stage, commissioned funding opportunity. To apply for the first stage you should submit an Outline Application. If invited to the second stage, you will then need to complete a Full Application. NIHR expect to commission projects which range in size and scope, with a guideline minimum of £200,000. As part of our drive to develop capacity, this opportunity also encourages capacity building and training.

Your proposed research should aim to generate high-quality evidence, focused on decarbonisation of the health and social care system, that supports both innovations and/or existing: 

  • interventions
  • service models 
  • care pathways 

Full information is on the NIHR website. 

]]> Thu, 5 Dec 2024 16:26:00 GMT NHS National Drug Shortages - new online tool https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=680673 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=680673 online supply monitoring tool. You can register for updates; it lists all drug supply notifications but you can filter by BNF chapter to just see neurological drugs with supply issues. To access the Tool, you will be required to register with the SPS Website.]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:55:00 GMT NNAG publishes four new clinical pathways https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=663717 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=663717 The optimal clinical pathways for adults with neurological conditions set out what good treatment, care and support look like. This includes treatment and support for people who are experiencing the first symptoms of a neurological condition, right through to people who have lived with such conditions for a long time. 

The pathways can be used to commission and improve local services to meet the needs of the local population and deliver efficiency savings across the system. They have been developed by consultant neurologists, with support from allied health professionals, patient groups and people affected by neurological conditions.  

The new pathways are:

]]> Wed, 31 Jan 2024 09:00:00 GMT New valproate safety measures apply from 31 January https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=663716 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=663716 From 31 January 2024, new regulatory measures are in place to reduce the known harms from valproate, including the significant risk of serious harm to the baby if taken during pregnancy and the risk of impaired fertility in males.

Healthcare organisations were instructed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 28 November to put in place a plan to prepare for these changes.

From January 2024, valproate must not be started in new patients (male or female) younger than 55 years, unless two specialists independently consider and document that there is no other effective or tolerated treatment, or there are compelling reasons that the reproductive risks do not apply. For the majority of patients, other effective treatment options are available.

All women who could become pregnant and girls who are currently taking valproate will be reviewed at their next annual specialist review, using a revised valproate Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form, which will include the need for a second opinion’s signature if the patient is to continue with valproate.

These are important regulatory changes recommended by the Commission on Human Medicines to increase scrutiny of valproate prescribing to reduce the harms from valproate.

New safety and educational materials have been introduced for patients and healthcare professionals to support the implementation of these measures. The MHRA has asked healthcare professionals to review the new measures and materials and integrate them into their clinical practice when referring patients and to aid in discussion with patients concerning treatment with valproate.

The MHRA urges patients to attend any offered appointments to discuss their treatment plan and to talk to a healthcare professional if they are concerned.

Clinicians should discuss the current warnings and upcoming measures relating to valproate with their patients and consider together how it affects the patient’s individual circumstances.

Read the ABN guidance on prescribing Valproate here. 

]]> Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:59:00 GMT DVLA Update: Assessing Fitness to Drive https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=663484 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=663484 summary of changes, as well as referring to the “At a Glance Guide” when advising patients.]]> Fri, 26 Jan 2024 03:22:00 GMT Guarantors of Brain: 2024 Fellowships https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=662263 https://www.theabn.org/news/news.asp?id=662263 Applications are invited by the Guarantors of Brain, for the 2024 fellowships. Three types of fellowship will be considered:

  1. “Entry” clinical fellowships up to 12 months, to provide clinicians transitional funding prior to starting a higher degree.
  2. Post-doctoral clinical fellowships up to 12 months, for clinicians undertaking research after their PhD.
  3. Non-clinical post-doctoral fellowships up to 36 months, for basic scientists embedded in clinical research teams.

For information regarding the scope of each fellowship, the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and the process of application, visit Brain’s website: https://guarantorsofbrain.org, or contact the admin team, email: webadmin@guarantorsofbrain.org


The deadline for applications is the 20th March and interviews will be held in May.

View the flyer.

]]> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:41:00 GMT