Specialist Epilepsy Service

The Secialist Epilepsy Service provides medical management and nursing care:

Epilepsy Management

Psychiatrists at Dudley have specialist knowledge and experience of managing epilepsy in people with a learning disability

The doctors make sure the person with epilepsy is taking the most appropriate medication for their seizure type or syndrome, at the same time aiming to maintain the best quality of life

The doctors also discuss general health, the risk of sudden death, behavioural changes that may be associated with epilepsy or its treatment, and any tests that need to be done like blood tests, or EEGs

Nursing Support

The Epilepsy Specialist Nurse will give advice and information on:

What is epilepsy?

Diagnosis

Reasons for tests and what the results mean

Seizure types and what to look for

First aid for seizures

Triggers

Drug side effects

Recording

SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)

Lifestyle issues

Use of rescue medication

Accessing further support and information from voluntary services

The Epilepsy Specialist Nurse can also give general epilepsy training and training on administration of rescue medications to family members and paid carers

We provide these services:

At The Ridge Hill Centre with the Psychiatrist or Epilepsy Specialist Nurse

Where the person spends most time

People get referred from GPs, Learning Disabilities Psychiatrist, General Neurologist, PAHMS department, Community Team Workers, Self/carers referral, Residential Homes