§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how the Government will ensure that there is effective communication between primary and secondary epilepsy care providers; [61895]
(2) if the Government will conduct awareness-raising campaigns for epilepsy with (a) patients, (b) carers and (c) the general public; [61892]
244W(3) if the Government will ensure that those experiencing their first epileptic seizure have access to an epilepsy specialist within 28 days; [61896]
(4) if the Government will ensure that people with epilepsy receive check-ups every six months with their GP or epilepsy specialist to review their medication; [61893]
(5) what the Government's policy is on the recommendation by the Chief Medical Officer in his annual report that it should put together an action plan for treatment of epilepsy within three months; [61886]
(6) whether the Government seeks to ensure that (a) epilepsy related deaths are centrally recorded and (b) coroners are made aware of this; [61894]
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps are being taken to warn those with epilepsy of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; [61898]
(2) what steps are being taken to prevent those at risk from developing epilepsy; [61899]
(3) what steps are being taken to improve care for those with epilepsy; [61901]
(4) what steps are being taken to reduce the number of people who die each year as a result of epilepsy. [61900]
§ Jacqui SmithThe 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 (NSF) for long term conditions 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 techniqu s.