Together with our colleagues in OACS Ireland, Epilepsy Ireland have written again to Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, following up on our request for an urgent meeting to discuss the establishment of an independent inquiry for families impacted by Sodium Valproate (Epilim). Our further correspondence comes nine weeks after our initial correspondence with the Minister on this matter in the wake of the "First Do No Harm" report in the UK.
Our further correspondence is available for download at the end of this article. As soon as we receive a reply from the Minister on this most urgent matter, we will update our website and social media channels.
As we await a reply from the Minister regarding this, in the interim, our colleagues in OACS Ireland have launched a petition to help raise awareness of this ongoing campaign. Please consider adding your signature to support families who have been impacted and to urge Minister Donnelly and the Government to commission an independent inquiry. You can sign the petition by visiting the Change.org website.
**Please note** Women and girls should not stop taking valproate without first discussing it with their doctor. Please contact your local Community Resource Officer or OACS Ireland should you have any concerns. You can find details of your local Community Resource Officer by visiting the 'Our Local Service' section of our website.
Further reading:
- Read our initial correspondence to Minister Donnelly by visiting the 'News' section of our website
- Read Epilepsy Ireland & OACS Ireland's joint statement on the findings of the "First Do No Harm" report by visiting the 'News' section of our website
- Read the findings of the "First Do No Harm" report by visiting the 'News' section of our website
- Read our survey results on awareness of risks associated with Sodium Valproate by visiting the 'News' section of our website
- Read Epilepsy Ireland & OACS Ireland's joint statement on the findings of the survey by visiting the 'News' section of our website
- Learn about the current Sodium Valproate risk reduction measures by visiting the 'Valproate' section of our website
- Learn more about OACS Ireland by visiting their website