§ Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what funds his Department is granting to sponsor research work into epilepsy; and if he intends to increase them.
§ Dr. Vaughan:In 1975 Professor A. E. Bennett of St. George's hospital medical school began, with financial support from my Department, a major study of the provision of care of persons with epilepsy.
This followed the publication in 1969 of the Reid report on people with epilepsy. The study aimed to provide information on the type and distribution of facilities and personnel required for the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and continuing care of those suffering from epilepsy.
Work on this was completed in December 1980, at a cost of £112,000, and the Department has now received Professor Bennett's comprehensive report, which discusses the recommendations for service provision put forward by the Reid committee. The report is being considered and will be the basis of a full departmental review of policy on services for people with epilepsy. The need for further research will be considered.