14th January 2009
Epilepsy in England: time for change
New report launched on epilepsy service provision in England
On 14 January, Epilepsy Action launched a report into epilepsy service provision in England. The report, Epilepsy in England: time for change, reports on the results of a survey of health trusts in England and a survey of people with epilepsy. The results of the surveys have revealed deeply concerning problems in the provision of epilepsy services.
The key findings are:
- Despite NICE guidelines that all people with suspected epilepsy should be seen by an epilepsy specialist, half (49 per cent) of acute trusts do not employ one.
- Despite NICE guidelines stating that all people with suspected epilepsy should be seen urgently (within two weeks), most trusts (more than 90 per cent) have waiting lists of longer than this.
- Despite NICE guidelines stating epilepsy specialist nurses (ESNs) should be an integral part of the medical team providing care to people with epilepsy, well over half of acute trusts (60 per cent) and of PCTs (64 per cent) do not have one
For further information about the report, please visit Epilepsy Action’s website at www.epilepsy.org.uk/timeforchange