The Epilepsy Specialist Nursing Service is committed to providing a service that engages individuals and their families/carers in a collaborative process. This is founded on evidence-based knowledge of epilepsy and its treatment in keeping with NICE guidelines to empower clients and their families/carers in reaching optimum control of seizures and psychosocial issues surrounding epilepsy.
Epilepsy Specialist Nursing Service aims to offer a service that is individual, family and carers focused. The needs and rights of clients and their families/carers are at the centre of clinical practice and the service that is provided. The epilepsy Nursing Service aims to :
- To support the accurate diagnosis and classification of seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, aetiology and co-morbidities if possible
- To ensure individuals and their families receive adequate information on epilepsy, seizure type, investigations, safety precautions and managing risks, psychological issues, treatment options, SUDEP and prognosis
- To obtain maximum seizure control with minimum amount of medication and side effects to reduce treatment related morbidity
- To maximise the individuals development potential and allow them to live as full a life as possible.
- To provide regular review of the individuals epilepsy
- To empower the individual and their carers to reach the goals of self-management.
- To act as a consultant and educational resource for other professionals striving toward improved, evidence based management of epilepsy in health, social care and educational settings.
Individuals and families/carers using Epilepsy Specialist Nursing Services can expect:
- To be treated with respect and dignity
- To receive treatment and evidence-based care that is appropriate to their needs and directed by standards such as NICE The Epilepsies 2017
- To have their privacy and rights to confidentiality respected according to the Southern Trust policies and procedures
- To be collaborative partners in their treatment and care especially relating to key decision making processes
- To receive a high quality service, aiming to achieve the quality standards of the Trust and National Guidelines
- The service to be responsive to local need, as accessible as possible, reflect inter-agency working, be equitable in terms of the individual and the area served, and be effective and efficient in operation
- To access a high quality and responsive service to help individuals manage their condition and immediate needs, but also to generate long-term outcomes that will help individuals, families/carers and effectively manage their epilepsy.
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Description of services/opportunities provided
- Carry out epilepsy nursing assessments
- Support self-management and prepare care plans
- Arrange nurse-led clinics
- Make home /day-care visits/ Nursing home/supported living/residential visits
- Help reduce inappropriate hospital admissions
- Provide advice for patients, carers & healthcare staff
- Deliver training
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Routes to access the service
Referrals can be made by General Practitioners, Consultant Neurologists, Consultant Psychiatrists, Regional Epilepsy Nurse Specialist, Transition Service or any Learning Disability Community or Hospital based service. We also accept self-referrals.
Referrals should be made through Paris where there is access or contact the Epilepsy Admin support team to speak to one of our Triage nurses.
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Referral criteria
- Individuals with a new diagnosis of epilepsy
- Individuals with complex epilepsy
- Individuals commencing on emergency medication and family/carers requiring training
- Individuals involved with Consultant Neurologist/Psychiatrist where they have request input from ESNS
- individuals undergoing complex changes of medication
- individuals who have complex challenging behaviour which is thought to be intrinsically linked to their epilepsy and further advice/support/intervention is required
- Individuals who require information or interaction between anti- seizure drugs and contraception
- individuals who are considering pregnancy and require pre-conceptual advice (even if seizure free)
- Individuals who are pregnant and have a history of seizures/active epilepsy
- Individuals known to Transition Service (see below)
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COVID 19 specific information
- IPC guidelines in place
- Pre -covid checks prior to face to face contact
- Options for telephone review/zoom where appropriate
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Contact Details
Epilepsy Nurse Specialist Triage service
Monday -Friday: 9am – 5pm
Blossom Hall, St Lukes Hospital Armagh, BT61 7NQ
Tel: 02837564538