Epilepsy

Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nursing Service

The Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Service delivers seamless, family centred, evidence based care for children and young people with epilepsy, some who have complex epilepsy and co-morbid conditions. Support is provided both within the community and hospital setting in Grampian, Orkney and Shetland.

Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Service works within the context of a well established large multi-disciplinary team, consisting of paediatric neurologists, consultant paediatricians with a special interest in neurology, neurophysiologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, pharmacist’s, GP’s, health visitors, social work, education and the voluntary sector. Meetings are held regularly to discuss patients both locally and as part of the North East of Scotland Child and Adolescent Neurology Network (NeSCANN) and the National Epilepsy Surgery MDT ensuring good clinical practice and governance are maintained. Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Service is also affiliated to the Scottish Paediatric Epilepsy Network (SPEN) and Epilepsy Specialist Nurses Association (ESNA) ensuring parity in standards of care across Scotland and the UK.

Where Are Patients Seen?

Patients are reviewed at outpatient clinics along with the consultants in Aberdeen, Elgin, Orkney and Shetland. The Paediatric Epilepsy Clinical Nurse Specialists review patients between these appointments by telephone clinics or in the home setting. The Epilepsy Nurse Service also provides a Nurse-led clinic for the children and young people with a new diagnosis of epilepsy and for those who hold emergency medication. The Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse endeavour to enhance patient care by providing safe evidence based care within the agreed guidelines for paediatric epilepsy care management in accordance with SIGN159 guidelines¹ & NICE 2012 ²

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The Epilepsy Specialist Nurses provide information, advice and support for children and their parents/carers on management and treatment of their condition. This includes advice and information on Anti-seizure medications (ASM’s) and the use of emergency medications. In order to facilitate this practice both nurses are independent prescribers. The Epilepsy Specialist Nurses are also involved in the management of children on other treatment pathways such as the national surgical pathway, Vagus Nerve Stimulators and the Ketogenic Diet.

The Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse’s are the first point of contact for patients, parents and carers. The Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurses use their advanced specialist skills in assessment, treatment and evaluation of children and young people with epilepsy both within the community and the hospital setting potentially reducing admissions to hospital and more frequent clinic appointments and reducing non adherence to management plans. The role of the Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse is to advise patients and parents/carers about seizure treatments, the practical management of seizures and about the concerns and issues that arise as a result of having epilepsy in addition to giving social and psychological advice and support.