Paediatric Consultant, Dr Nigel Laycock with Paediatric Epilepsy Nurses Gill Culshaw and Laura Jones at the Trust’s latest members’ seminar.
The Trust’s latest members’ seminar focused on epilepsy this week.
Paediatric Consultant, Dr Nigel Laycock and Paediatric Epilepsy Nurses Gill Culshaw and Laura Jones, spoke about epilepsy and its complexities.
The event tied in with the national Epilepsy Awareness Day with Dr Laycock explaining topics such as what epilepsy is and why it is important to identify those at risk of the condition.
He also highlighted the difficulties involved in diagnosing and managing the condition and moving from Paediatric to Adult Services, described what epilepsy treatments are available and highlighted why a diagnosis can be life changing.
Dr Laycock said: “Epilepsy is not just one condition, but a group of many different ‘epilepsies’, with one thing in common, a tendency to have seizures that start in the brain.
“Anyone can develop epilepsy at any time of life. It happens in people of all ages, races and social classes.
“Epilepsy is most commonly diagnosed in children and in people over 65. There are more than half a million people with epilepsy in the UK, around 1 in 100 people.
“Epilepsy is an area which is not as high profile as some other medical topics, but there is increasing knowledge and understanding of the condition and we are now benefitting from newer drugs and other treatments such as neurosurgery and outcomes are steadily improving.”
The event was well supported with the Trust thanking all members who attended.
Membership of the Trust doesn’t cost anything, and there are numerous benefits for the Trust and the local community alike. For further details contact Lauren Kavanagh in the Membership Office on 01253 956361 or email lauren.kavanagh2@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk.