Epilepsy service (children)
At a Glance
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects about one in 200 people under the age of 18.Epilepsy disrupts the normal electrical activity our brains use to communicate with the rest of the body, resulting in someone having a ‘seizure’ or a ‘fit.’
How do I refer my child to this service?
Most children and young people are referred to our service following their first ‘seizure’ event. This is made by the doctor who the child or young person has seen. This may be their GP, the doctor on the children’s ward or from the Emergency Department.
We aim to see the child or young person within 2-4 weeks of the referral.
How do children transition to adult services?
Many children will grow out of their epilepsy so will not need to be transitioned to adult services.
For those that still need treatment for their epilepsy the transition process will start between the ages of 11-14 years and will be individually tailored to the young person’s needs. During this process the epilepsy team will educate and check that the young person understands their epilepsy and the implications it has on their daily life.
Between the ages of 16 – 18 years the young person will be invited to a transition clinic where they will meet the adult epilepsy nurse specialist. The adult epilepsy nurse will then see them in an adult clinic and involve the adult neurologist.
The young person will be accessing adult services between the ages of 16- 18years.
Our team
Consultants with a specialist interest are Dr Vorstman and Dr de Gressi and Specialist Nurses – Debbie Dean and Lee Harrison.
Other paediatricians also manage patients with epilepsy and have access to the epilepsy team when needed.