News archive

Journalist of the Year Award 2010

Our Journalist of the Year is Fiona Duffy. Her Scottish Daily Mirror feature highlighted a young woman's long journey to get a correct epilepsy diagnosis. It impressed the judges including our patron Baroness Veronica Linklater, TV and radio broadcaster Cathy MacDonald, Scottish National Union of Journalists Secretary Paul Holleran and BBC Scotland's Head of News and Current Affairs, Atholl Duncan. Runner-up Nan Spowart writing for the Herald was presented with her trophy by Chief Executive Lesslie Young. Read the winning article, watch the video of Fiona's acceptance speech.

Epilepsy in Later life: Guiding Good Practice

Throughout 2008 Epilepsy Scotland worked with a group of experts in producing a guideline for the diagnosis, referral and management of people in later life and epilepsy.

This guideline was reviewed by the delegates at a recent event that was specifically designed to gather feedback on this well needed document.

Epilepsy in Later Life A Good Practice Guide

Press release: Good Practice Guide - for Later Life Epilepsy Time Bomb

If you would like one or more copies of the guideline, please contact 0808 800 2200.

Pre-conceptual counselling for women with epilepsy

Pre-conceptual counselling could reduce potential health risks among babies of would-be mothers with epilepsy. Read our press release about a new study that suggests children born to women taking the anti-epileptic drug (AED) sodium valproate are more likely to have a lowered IQ at three years of age.

Developing an epilepsy-specific questionnaire

SallyAnn Wakeford, a PhD student at the University of Bath, would like to hear from adults with epilepsy who would be willing to complete a questionnaire. She wants to research how epilepsy affects the way we think and the way we behave.

New anti-epileptic drug

Pharma company Eisai have launched a new anti-epileptic drug, Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate). It is based on the drug carbamazepine, which has been widely used for many years. Zebinix is a once daily anti-epileptic drug, and can be prescribed for partial seizures as an add-on treatment for adults. If you want to find out more about this new drug, please click here.

Royal Society of Medicine Conference

Being held on Thursday 26 February 2009 at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, in association with The Muir Maxwell Trust. The conference aims to provide an update on some important issues of diagnosis and treatment for people with epilepsy. Some of the social and employment consequences of epilepsy will also be considered. The programme is intended particularly for all those working in epilepsy clinics, general physicians and general practitioners, and also for general neurologists and trainees. Book online at www.rsm.ac.uk

Childhood epilepsy drug now approved for NHS use

The Scottish Medicines Consortium have now agreed that Rufinamide (Inovelon) will be added to the list of acceptable drugs for childhood epilepsy. It is now available on NHS prescription.

Epilepsy Scotland submitted a patient group report to support this. Rufinamide is the first drug of its kind available on the NHS. It has been developed as, an add-on drug, for children with Lennox - Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) over the age of four.

Recent research has shown that it can greatly reduce the number of seizures that children with LGS experience daily.

Vagal Nerve Stimulation: from both sides of the border

The aim of the seminar is to discuss VNS as a treatment option and investigate possible reasons for the difference between the number of people offered and fitted with VNS here in Scotland in comparison to England. A clinician from both sides of the border will present their experience of VNS. Richard Roberts a Consultant Neurologist from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee will discuss VNS in Scotland and Richard Selway a Consultant Neurosurgeon from Kings College Hospital in London will discuss VNS in England.

Interactive website for young people with epilepsy

Are you over 16 or in your 20s?
Would you like to share your story and experiences of epilepsy?

YouthHealthTalk.org (YHT) is an interactive website about young people's experiences of different health issues. The website has interviews with young people about their experiences of particular conditions, shown as video, audio and written clips. The website has also reliable information about the conditions, FAQ and links to other websites and resources.

www.youthhealthtalk.org

Ring chromosome 20 syndrome

Do you have ring chromosome 20 syndrome? Or do you know someone who does? If so, you may be interested in two different research projects that the Ring Chromosome 20 Foundation is funding.

Success - simpler steps for bus pass!

Thanks to campaigning by Epilepsy Scotland and specialist nurses Transport Scotland have changed the current system making it even simpler for people with epilepsy to get their free bus pass.

Form NCT003 (Certificate of Eligibility - Epilepsy) has now been amended so that GPs and Epilepsy Specialist Nurses can sign it as well as consultant neurologists. Previously, the form could only be signed by a neurologist. This caused problems for people who did not attend an epilepsy clinic.

We can send you both the application for a free bus pass form, as well as the newly amended NCT003 form.