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Today is Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day!

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Today is Dravet Syndrome awareness day. While epilepsy is not rare, there are rare subsets of the condition. Dravet Syndrome is one such type of rare epilepsy.

Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a severe type of epilepsy characterised by often prolonged (5+ minute) seizures that usually begin in the first year of life. It affects one in 20,000 – 40,000 people worldwide. It is a genetic condition, often caused by SCN1A gene mutations, most of which are de novo.

'Patients Deserve Better' to brief TDs & Senators this week.

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The Patients Deserve Better campaign is set to brief TDs and Senators in Dáil Eireann this week to press the need for investment in Ireland’s neurology nurse specialist capacity.

The campaign has been running since last year and is being coordinated by our colleagues in the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

Ireland currently has a shortfall of 100 neurology nurses and the campaign is seeking to press Government and policymakers to address this shortfall.

Sodium Valproate Inquiry Update.

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Epilepsy Ireland and OACS Ireland met with Department of Health officials yesterday to discuss the establishment of the long-awaited Sodium Valproate inquiry.

There was an open and honest discussion about the delays in establishing the inquiry to date and OACS Ireland conveyed the frustration families are feeling as a result.

Sodium Valproate Inquiry Update.

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Alongside our colleagues in OACS Ireland, we will be meeting with the Minister for Health this week to discuss the establishment of the long-awaited Sodium Valproate inquiry.