RCN urges investment in specialist nurses for children with epilepsy
Published: 24 September 2012
Under embargo: 00:01 Monday 24 September 2012
RCN urges investment in specialist nurses for children with epilepsy
Commenting on today’s (24 September) first national audit of epilepsy care for children and young people, The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) expressed ‘profound concern’ that fewer than half of children with epilepsy had access to a specialist nurse.
Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:
“Epilepsy is clearly being treated very well in many parts of the country, and specialist nurses have led the way in helping children and their families to manage epilepsy. However, it is a matter of profound concern to us that this is not the case everywhere. The recommendation that all children have access to a specialist nurse is there for a reason – the nurse can offer an unparalleled combination of expert clinical advice alongside practical help for children and their families. Epilepsy can be a very distressing and worrying illness for a child to have. Therefore, having a specialist nurse who is on hand to answer questions and give advice on avoiding complications can make all the difference to how well the condition is managed.
“Too often, without the right advice many children face needless complications which affect not just their health but their education and other activities. We would urge NHS organisations to give every child access to a specialist nurse to keep them as well as possible and to avoid unnecessary and expensive hospital admissions.”
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. The first UK national audit of epilepsy care for children and young people was carried out largely by doctors and nurses, and led by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
2. NICE guidance on the treatment of epilepsy in children and young people is available here - http://publications.nice.org.uk/the-epilepsies-the-diagnosis-and-management-of-the-epilepsies-in-adults-and-children-in-primary-and-cg137 and the role of the specialist nurse in preventing deaths in epilepsy is also highlighted here http://www.sudep.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/National-Sentinel-Audit-2002.pdf
3. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
4. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.