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Press Releases

2008

Release date: Thursday 14 August 2008

Push the button for more epilepsy specialist nurses

It's summer recess but the Scottish Parliament's electronic petitions are active and just a click away for those backing Epilepsy Scotland's current call for more specialist nurses.

Internet support has grown daily for the national charity’s campaign to increase epilepsy nurse numbers from 24 to 61.5 posts across Scotland’s 14 health boards.

There’s still time before Friday 22 August for members of the public to push the button and add their name to the epilepsy nurses e-petition 258.  Go to www.scottishparliament.org,.uk where your vote of support counts!

Ends

Notes to editor

  1. Epilepsy Scotland works with people affected by epilepsy to ensure that their voice is heard.  As the national epilepsy charity, we campaign for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma.  This common serious neurological condition affects one in 130 people.  We represent nearly 40,000 Scots with epilepsy, their families and carers.  Our freephone Helpline (0808 800 2200) offers advice, leaflets and support while information is also available from our website: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
  2. Our campaign leaflet 'More specialist nurses, better epilepsy care' can be viewed and downloaded from our website. People can ask for a copy by calling 0808 800 2200.
  3. The Joint Epilepsy Council for the UK and Ireland (JEC) recommends one nurse per 100,000 of the population. Scotland will need almost three times more specialist nurses to meet that target.
  4. Epilepsy can develop at any age. People with learning disability may also have epilepsy. Based on local health board populations, 61.5 specialist nurses are required to assist children and adults with epilepsy and those with learning disability across Scotland.
  5. Specialist nurses are senior nurses who provide a wide range of services: from epilepsy management and treatment; first seizure clinics, review clinics and transition services; pre-conception planning and pregnancy to telephone advice, home visits, talks to schools and training for GPs, practice nurses and professional carers.
  6. Specialist nurse posts have often been funded by charities including Roald Dahl and Epilepsy Action under the Sapphire Nurses scheme. Support is given for one to two years. The health board then decides whether to continue with the post. The cost of a new epilepsy nurse post is £23,458 to £37,326 per year.
  7. National SIGN guideline; Diagnosis and Management of Epilepsy in Adults, highlights that epilepsy specialist nurses are cost-effective; they reduce the length of stay in hospital and increase patient satisfaction. It also states that people in contact with an epilepsy specialist nurse have better access to information and are more likely to be compliant with their medication. It stresses that these nurses pick up on misdiagnosis and over-medication, therefore saving money and improving care at the same time.
  8. Hugh O’Donnell MSP led a members debate on 16 April 2008 in the Scottish Parliament.  It called for better epilepsy care. Details of the transcript can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk
  9. For more details please contact: Allana Parker, Communications Manager on: 0141 419 1701 or 07884 012 147.

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