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Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 2 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 December 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Thursday, 15 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Epilepsy

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department has taken to reduce sudden death by epilepsy since the publication of the Government's Action Plan on Epilepsy in 2003; what assessment she has made of the progress that has been made in reducing the levels of sudden death by epilepsy since the publication of the Action Plan; and what guidance she has given to practitioners to ensure patients with epilepsy are fully informed about the risks of sudden death from the condition.
Answer

Although the specific cause of sudden death by epilepsy (SUDEP) is unknown, the risks are considered greater for patients whose epilepsy is poorly controlled. Action to reduce SUDEP has therefore concentrated on improving epilepsy is poorly controlled. Action to reduce SUDEP has therefore concentrated on improving epilepsy services in general, raising awareness of SUDEP, and the introduction of new more effective drugs to control seizures.As part of the ““Action Plan on Epilepsy'' the Modernisation Agency ran ““Action on Neurology”” in 2004–05 at eight pilot sites. These included:"delivering high quality epilepsy service without the need for patients to travel far by the use of electronic and paper patient-held records.""improving communications between primary, secondary and tertiary care by developing a network of healthcare professionals to deliver a coordinated service.""developing general practitioner services for people with epilepsy and headaches and a primary care triage system to improve access and efficiency."The national service framework for long-term conditions was published in March 2005. This focuses on improving neurological services across the country for a range of conditions including epilepsy.The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the clinical and cost effectiveness of new epilepsy drugs in adults (March 2004) and children (April 2004).We have commissioned NICE to produce clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy. This guidance, published in October 2004, specifically covers the importance of informing patients and their families of the risks of sudden death in epilepsy. In addition, we have made a grant of almost £290,000 to the National Society for Epilepsy to improve support and information for people with epilepsy and their families.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
35355; 440 c2214-5W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Death Diagnosis Health services Finance Epilepsy
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk