For almost all patients with neurological problems, their first neurology contact is with a general neurologist (or a specialist neurologist doing their ‘general neurology’ duty). The work of general neurologists is widely underappreciated, as often they do not acquire the same national profile as specialists, or write as many papers, or do as much research. Neil Anderson writes in defence of general neurologists on page 448, highlighting their central role in delivering neurology services, the benefits of their balanced and open mind approach to neurological problems, and their enjoyment of a clinical practice that is both fascinating and diverse. Their example should surely encourage trainees to follow this career path.

Increasingly, patients are surviving (and thriving) after treatment for cancer and malignant disease. Thus, many more patients have been previously exposed to radiotherapy, and some may present to neurologists and this exposure may be relevant to their neurological problems. While the early neurological complications of radiotherapy are managed mainly by neurology subspecialists, there are many potential …