News

A study presented at the European Academy of Neurology annual congress has found that mortality rates for epilepsy-related deaths did not decrease between 2009 and 2015 despite advances in treatment during this time.

The study was conducted by Dr. Gashirai Mbizvo from the University of Edinburgh who analysed anonymous data from healthcare settings around Scotland of patients who had died between 2009 & 2015.

Over the past number of years, our team of Community Resource Officers have worked closely with our colleagues in Helium Arts to highlight their services to families with children with epilepsy. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges for the delivery of healthcare services across the country; it has also highlighted shining lights of our health service and areas which are being heralded as possible game-changers in healthcare delivery in a COVID-19 environment. 

In recent weeks, we have made calls alongside our colleagues in OACS Ireland for an Independent Inquiry for famiiies affected by Sodium Valproate (Epilim) where the drug was prescribed to women of child-bearing age. The effects of exposure to sodium valproate in utero are well documented, with 30-40% of children exposed to valproate being born with a neurodevelopmental condition and 10% being born with a congenital malformation.