HC Deb 17 June 2002 vol 387 cc161-4W
Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps the Government are taking to ensure that epilepsy deaths and SUDEP are reduced as far as possible; [60085]

(2) if he will undertake a national confidential inquiry into sudden epilepsy deaths in order to obtain data on this condition; and if he will make a statement on the quantity of data he has collated on SUDEP. [60081]

Jacqui Smith

The Department recently welcomed the national sentinel audit of epilepsy-related death. The Government-funded project reviewed the official records of people who died from an epilepsy-related death in the UK between September 1999 and August 2000. During that period, 2,412 deaths were reported where epilepsy was mentioned on the death certificate.

The audit looked at investigations into epilepsy deaths, care provided prior to death and contact with bereaved families. The audit makes recommendations for improving epilepsy services. The Department has given a commitment to consider these and develop an action plan by September 2002 to try to reduce the number of epilepsy-related deaths.

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government are doing to address the deficiencies they have identified in the care and management of people with epilepsy. [60083]

Jacqui Smith

The Government are undertaking a range of initiatives to improve services for the care and management of people with epilepsy. For example, we haveProvided funding to the Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) to develop a 'National Statement of Good Practice for the Treatment and Care of People who have Epilepsy', which was published in May 2002. The statement makes a series of recommendations for good quality epilepsy services. It is intended to facilitate commissioning and will be of use to national health service purchasers, providers and service users. Provided funding for the national sentinel audit of epilepsy-related death, which was published in May 2002. The chief medical officer has given a commitment to develop an action plan to reduce the level preventable deaths from epilepsy within three months of publication. Asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a clinical guideline (due in summer 2004) for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy to help address widespread variations in clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of services. This will be supported by a technology appraisal (due autumn 2003) of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new anti-epileptic drugs in children and adults, to help promote appropriate uptake and equitable access. Announced that the national service framework for long-term conditions (NSF) is expected to develop standards of care for specific neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The NSF is expected to be published in 2004. Implementation is expected to start from 2005. Developed the expert patients programme, which aims to provide training in self-management skills for people with long-term chronic conditions. The first pilot phase will include people with epilepsy. Provided funding to the National Society for Epilepsy for its 'Living Well' project. The project aims to promote independent living by providing locally based short-term courses for people with epilepsy to develop self-help and self-management techniques.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to improve the(a) monitoring and (b) prevention of sudden deaths owing to epilepsy. [61341]

Jacqui Smith

The Department has recently welcomed the publication of the Government-funded 'National Sentinel Audit of Epilepsy-Related Death'. The audit looked at investigations into epilepsy deaths, care provided prior to death and contact with bereaved families. The Department has given a commitment to consider the recommendations of the audit and develop an action plan by September 2002 to try to improve epilepsy services and reduce the number of preventable deaths from epilepsy.

The Department is also undertaking a range of initiatives to improve services for the care and management of people with epilepsy. For example, we have: Provided funding to the Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) to develop a 'National Statement of Good Practice for the Treatment and Care of People who have Epilepsy', which was published in May 2002. The statement makes a series of recommendations for good quality epilepsy services. It is intended to facilitate commissioning and will be of use to national health service purchasers, providers and service users. Asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a clinical guideline (due in summer 2004) for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy to help address widespread variations in clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of services. This will be supported by a technology appraisal (due autumn 2003) of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new anti-epileptic drugs in children and adults, to help promote appropriate uptake and equitable access. Announced that the national service framework for long-term conditions (NSF) is expected to develop standards of care for specific neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The NSF is expected to be published in 2004. Implementation is expected to start from 2005. Developed the expert patients programme, which aims to provide training in self-management skills for people with long-term chronic conditions. The first pilot phase will include people with epilepsy. Provided funding to the National Society for Epilepsy for its 'Living Well' project. The project aims to promote independent living by providing locally based short-term courses for people with epilepsy to develop self-help and self-management techniques.