Epilepsy Scotland provides the Secretariat to the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Epilepsy at the Scottish Parliament. The group brings people interested in epilepsy issues together and provides Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) with information and access to expert opinion.
The group meets three to four times a year and aims to address the needs of people with epilepsy in Scotland. This is achieved by members committing to raising public awareness and parliamentary action in addressing health service provision, epilepsy awareness in education, employment concerns, and social inclusion.
Members of the group include MSPs from a variety of political parties, non-MSP individuals, and organisations with an interest epilepsy. The full list of CPG members and minutes of every meeting can be found here.
Over the last year the group has covered social security, the digital platform VCreate Neuro, and refreshed paediatric SIGN guidelines. The work of the CPG has created numerous successes for people with epilepsy;
- Following a CPG meeting, the Scottish Government met with representatives from Epilepsy Scotland and clinicians running an epilepsy database pilot. They discussed meaningful steps for the national roll out of this system. The database is now being funded by the Scottish Government’s Neurological Framework, with a view to rolling it out nationally.
- Our CPG on Personal Independence Payment was attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley Anne Sommerville. Following this, our Welfare Rights Officers have had close contact with the Scottish Government and the Social Security Scotland Agency about the new devolved system. Epilepsy Scotland has had a significant role in engaging and highlighting issues people with epilepsy face under the current benefits system.
- Our Convener, Alasdair Allan MSP, routinely takes up parliamentary business on behalf of the CPG. He writes to Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries to highlight the needs and views of people with epilepsy. More recently, he wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health about a national audit system for paediatric epilepsy care.
Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries often attend the CPG which makes it a great opportunity to put questions to the people in power and hold them to account.
If you would like more information on the work of the Cross-Party Group or how you can attend a meeting please email alindsay@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
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