Hollie, Liz, and Lizzie bring a combined career spanning over 70 years of nursing across paediatric complex needs, high dependency, wound care, tissue viability, dermatology, elderly care, and more. In this episode, they sit down for a chat about why they became nurses, the moments that shaped them, and what is going on in the world of nursing today.

In this episode, they cover:

• How each of them came to nursing - including a career that started with an art degree and another that began at age three
• What it's really like to work with children with complex health needs and why you never go back once you start
• The emotional weight of nursing, including end-of-life care and how attitudes toward compassion in the workplace have changed over the decades
• Community vs. hospital nursing - why working without the safety net of a ward changes everything
• The nursing workforce crisis: the 55,000-vacancy shortfall, why newly qualified nurses are struggling to find jobs, and the knock-on effect on training and mentorship
• Face-to-face training vs. tick-box online learning and why it matters
• The CPD and revalidation pressures nurses face, and how a positive training culture makes all the difference
• What the nursing associate and HCA pathway means for the future of the profession
• One piece of advice each — on finding your niche, finding your team, and going in with your eyes open

Meet the guests:

Hollie — Clinical Trainer at Momentum People, 16 years in nursing with a specialism in children with complex health needs, tracheostomy care, and long-term ventilation.

Liz — Clinical Trainer at Momentum People for 8 years, paediatric nurse with a 45-year career across the NHS, including high dependency, complex health needs in the community, and pain specialist nursing.

Lizzie — Associate Clinical Trainer at Momentum People, qualified since 2018, with a background in orthopaedics, complex wound care, and tissue viability.

Connect with Momentum People:

www.momentumpeople.co.uk

Instagram - @momentumpeople

LinkedIn - Momentum People

Email - training@momentumpeople.co.uk

Momentum Matters is your easy way to stay connected with what's happening across medicines, clinical care, and regulatory updates in the UK - from medication-related incidents to epilepsy, diabetes, allergy and anaphylaxis, and everything in between.

If you work in care, this episode will change how you recognise epilepsy in real people — not just in guidance. We go beyond assumptions to explore lived experience, missed presentations, updates and new technology and what all this means for safe, informed care.

Epilepsy affects more than 600,000 people in the UK, yet it remains widely misunderstood. In this powerful episode of Momentum Matters, host TeeJay Dowe is joined by Tom Shillito (Epilepsy Action) and Jez Orbell (supporter of Epilepsy Society) who shares his personal experience of living with epilepsy for over 30 years.

Together, they explore what epilepsy really is, the different types of seizures, and how the condition impacts independence, mental wellbeing, work, relationships, and everyday life. Jez speaks candidly about diagnosis, medication side effects, loss of independence, and what it meant to finally regain his driving licence after 34 years.

This episode also looks at the wider picture: inequalities in epilepsy care across the UK, long waits to see specialists, stigma, and why person‑centred care is essential. The conversation highlights emerging technology, including seizure monitoring, wearables, AI, and advances in neurology that could transform epilepsy management in the future.

An honest, informative, and necessary conversation for anyone living with epilepsy, supporting someone who is, or wanting to better understand this complex condition.

🔍 In This Episode, We Cover:

• What epilepsy is
• The different types of seizures and common misconceptions
• Living with epilepsy: diagnosis, medication, and side effects
• Independence, driving restrictions, and their emotional impact
• Inequality in epilepsy care and access to specialists
• SUDEP awareness and seizure safety
• The role of technology, wearables, and AI in epilepsy care
• Breaking stigma and improving awareness

👥 Guests:

• Tom Shillito – Epilepsy Action
• Jez Orbell – Lived experience of epilepsy

📌 Resources & Support:

• Epilepsy Action – UK support, information, and advice: https://www.epilepsy.org.uk
• Epilepsy Society - UK support, information, and advice: https://www.epilespysociety.org.uk

Pharmacist TeeJay, Dr. Milan Mehta and Complex Nurse Hollie unpack what stress actually does to the body, why it’s becoming harder for care teams to switch off, and how constant pressure affects performance and safety in services.

You’ll hear grounded, practical ideas that fit real care environments, including:

• early signs of stress you can spot in yourself and others

• simple changes that support better sleep and clearer thinking

• the impact of stress on medication safety

• how to create small recovery moments in busy shifts

• ways to strengthen the vagus nerve and settle the stress response

• everyday habits that support resilience in you and your team

A supportive, insightful conversation for any care manager wanting to lead well, protect their teams, and navigate the growing pressures in care.

Connect with one of today's guests, NHS GP and Stress Coach, Milan Mehta:

LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/drmilanmehta

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/milan.mehta81

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drmilanmehta_

Email - hello@milancoaching.com

Get your FREE 5 day email course, Burnout Warning System - https://burnout-warning-system.carrd.co

Connect with us:

www.momentumpeople.co.uk

https://uk.linkedin.com/company/momentum-people-ltd

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/teejaydoweignition