Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has today marked International Epilepsy Day 2021 (Monday 8 February 2021) which focuses on promoting awareness of epilepsy.

The Minister said:

On International Epilepsy Day, we acknowledge the work been done to support those with epilepsy in Ireland. Our pathway to community care supports for those with epilepsy, is an important initiative to help those with epilepsy to manage their condition.

A pathway of community care supports for people with epilepsy in Ireland is in place. The project which is in partnership with Epilepsy Ireland is supporting people with epilepsy in the self-management of their condition, thereby reducing demand on the acute care system. The project, funded through the Sláintecare Integration Fund, offers an in-depth education session to patients shortly after they are diagnosed with Epilepsy.

The Minister also praised the tireless work done by Epilepsy Ireland to raise awareness and educate people on seizures for International Epilepsy Day:

I would like to thank Epilepsy Ireland for the role they play in creating awareness of epilepsy and how to respond if someone is having a seizure. On International Epilepsy Day, I am encouraging everyone to take five minutes of your time to visit www.epilepsy.ie and learn a little more about epilepsy and the steps you can take to support someone if they have a seizure.

About the project:

Through the programme, patients with a new diagnosis of Epilepsy are being referred to the intervention shortly after their first clinical appointment. They attend an online joint education session with an Epilepsy Nurse Specialist (ENS) or Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and an Epilepsy Ireland Community Resource Officer. They are provided with an in-depth education session which covers a range of topics covering diagnosis, medication, seizure triggers, lifestyle, employment/education, memory, cognition and wellbeing.

This session equips the patient with the information and knowledge that can assist them in beginning the self-management of their condition. Their immediate fears and worries are dealt with by the Community Resource Officer who can guide, support and reassure them through their journey. Reduction in the stress experienced after a diagnosis is a key benefit as stress and anxiety are known triggers for seizures.

Where there is an urgent need for an intervention through a referral from a clinician, Epilepsy Ireland has committed that the person will be provided with a one-to-one session within 5 days of receiving the referral.

By offering an in-depth education session to patients shortly after diagnosis, patients are provided with the full range of information that they require to assist in the self-management of their condition. This reduces the need for patients to re-engage with clinical staff on the non-medical issues and questions that can be dealt with by the Community Resource Officer. This means a holistic epilepsy service is offered to the patient through the collaboration and joint efforts of the clinical teams and the Epilepsy Ireland staff member.

Those who have attended the education sessions have reported through the evaluations that they have benefited from the intervention. The referrals to the Community Resource Officer has been a benefit to the patients who are provided with key person to link with and who can commit to providing a one-to-one appointment within five days if the clinician feels the next education session is too far away.

• 88% of participants reported an increase in their knowledge about their condition and were more aware of the things that can trigger seizures and how to prevent these.
• 81% reported that they were better equipped with the information needed to manage their medication and stated they were more confident about their knowledge of risks and safety regarding their epilepsy.

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