Duncan’s spina bifida and hydrocephalus mission

My name is Duncan, I am 31 and have been working as a doctor for 7 years. I currently work at Hull Royal Infirmaries Neurosurgery department but I will be taking 6 months out of my career to volunteer at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Ethiopia, starting September 2021. This is in collaboration with a charity called Reach Another Foundation. Our aim is to improve the quality of care provided for infants living with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida.

I have extensive experience in hydrocephalus, please see my journal article focusing on infants with different types of ventriculoperitoneal shunt valves.  

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00381-020-04552-3

I also have paediatric neurosurgery experience from my time working at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Please see my research article which adds understanding to the mothers of children living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Tanzania.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878875020315023  

I hope to help the Ethiopian neurosurgeons establish a safe neuroendoscopic service for infants with Hydrocephalus and to improve the long term care for Spina Bifida children suffering from bladder dysfunction.

To help fundraise, I am attempting a coast to coast race in September. This will involve running, cycling and kayaking for a total of 105 miles across Scotland.

https://ratracecoasttocoast.co.uk/

thank you