NPC Registration No: 2024/319828/08
It's Here!
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) remains under-recognised and often challenging to manage in clinical practice. We are pleased to introduce the FND – What Now? Clinician's FND Toolkit—a practical, evidence-informed resource designed to support healthcare professionals in delivering structured, function-focused care.
Developed within a South African context, this toolkit provides accessible, clinically relevant guidance with embedded links for fingertip access to further resources. Sign Up Below!
Post-Conference Reflections
One of the most meaningful outcomes from presenting at the SACNA 2026 Conference was seeing how deeply healthcare professionals connected with the human realities behind
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
Clinicians are scientifically trained, but rarely have the opportunity to witness the lived experience of FND in a way that is clinically grounded, emotionally intelligent, and evidence-aware. This presentation aimed to bridge that gap – bringing together both the science of FND and the realities patients navigate every day.
The response highlighted the growing need for compassionate, patient-centred conversations around FND, disability, neurodiversity, and interconnected multidisciplinary care.
This work continues to grow through ongoing collaboration with SACNA, focused on advancing education, awareness, and integrated care for Functional Neurological Disorder.
South African Research Spotlight
Limited research and resources for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in South Africa restrict context-specific care. The studies below highlight clinical profiles, costs, and patient experiences, underscoring challenges and opportunities for improvement.
This paper explores Functional Seizures, also known as Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)—real, involuntary episodes often mistaken for epilepsy. It calls for greater understanding and more compassionate, integrated care that recognises the complexity of patient experiences. It also highlights the importance of clear, supportive communication at diagnosis.
This study analyses the economic impact of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) by comparing inpatient healthcare costs to other neurological conditions at Universitas Tertiary Academic Hospital. Using retrospective data from 2018–2019, it identifies FND cases and evaluates cost patterns, helping address limited insight into FND’s economic impact in South Africa.
This study examines Functional Neurological Disorders (FNDs) in a South African tertiary setting at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), using a 14-year retrospective review (2003–2017) to outline patient clinical profiles, coexisting conditions, and patterns of investigation and management, contributing to the limited African data on FND.
