§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about research into sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.
§ Mr. BowisThe Department is aware of issues and concerns surrounding sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. However, I am not aware of any current research on this subject. The main agency through which the Government support medical and related biological research in the United Kingdom is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and is always willing to consider scientifically sound proposals. The council has considerable relevant work on neuroscience research and has identified396W neurological disabilities, including epilepsy, as an area in which it wishes to encourage applications.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths were attributed to epilepsy in the United Kingdom for each year since 1990 in each health authority for which information is available.
§ Mr. BowisInformation on the number of deaths, by health authority, will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on co-operation with the Department for Education in ensuring that all schools have an active epilepsy policy.
§ Mr. BowisMy officials will be consulting Department for Education officials as part of my Department's initiative on epilepsy, which I announced in the House on 17 January.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has to encourage an increase in the number of brain operations for intractable non-lesional epilepsy.
§ Mr. BowisDecisions on treatment are the responsibility of the doctors concerned, who are required to exercise their clinical judgment, informed by a patient's medical history. Health authorities and trusts are responsible for ensuring that the full range of services is available, taking account of their priorities and resources.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what training is given to medical practitioners and their staff to ensure that there is a minimum of risk to(a) expectant mothers with epilepsy, (b) mothers with epilepsy and (c) children of mothers with epilepsy.
(2) what advice her Department gives to health authorities in respect of carers for children with epilepsy requiring the best possible training; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisThe education and training of health professionals is a matter for the relevant royal college. However, as part of the programme that I announced on 17 January, we shall be seeking to raise epilepsy awareness among general practitioners and primary care teams.