14th January 2009
Epilepsy Action Parliamentary Reception
Epilepsy in England: time for change
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: Dining Room A, House of Commons
Epilepsy Action is holding a Parliamentary Reception, hosted by Christine McCafferty MP, Vice-Chair of the APPG on Epilepsy, to launch a new report, Epilepsy in England: time for change, on the provision of epilepsy services across England. This major new report will provide a detailed overview of service provision in England, including case studies of what this actually means for patients. The report will also set out an action plan to tackle the issues that people with epilepsy have to deal with each day.
The launch event will provide an opportunity for delegates to meet with those involved in the compilation of this report, as well as those delivering epilepsy services in England, and people with epilepsy to explain their own experience of the condition and treatment. Attendees can also be provided with a breakdown of the provision of services in their region and, therefore, the current situation for those in their local area with epilepsy. The event will also include speeches from Epilepsy Action president, Baroness Ford of Cunninghame and the Health Minister, Ann Keen MP, has been invited to provide the government’s response to the report’s findings.
There are approximately 382,000 people with epilepsy in England today, and it is hoped that this report will help the government and clinicians alike to understand the situation patients face with regards to their care. Epilepsy Action will also be calling for a long term improvement in NHS services and standards of care for people with epilepsy; improvements which we hope will ensure that more and more people with epilepsy can live full and seizure free lives.
For further information about the report, Epilepsy in England: time for change, please visit Epilepsy Action’s website at www.epilepsy.org.uk/timeforchange or contact Michaela Bartlett, Epilepsy Action’s campaigns and policy officer, on 0113 210 8800.
For journalists’ enquiries only, please contact Keeley Eastwood in Epilepsy Action’s press office on 0113 210 8800 or email press@epilepsy.org.uk.