Children's Epilepsy Nurse Specialist
Children’s Services, Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL Epilepsy Specialist Nurse 01206 745358
Children’s Assessment Unit 01206 746200
Children’s Community Nursing Team 01206 746284
Introduction
Epilepsy affects about 42,000 people in the United Kingdom. It can start at any age but mostly starts in childhood and in older age.
This leaflet outlines the role of the children’s epilepsy nurse specialist and how she can support you in caring for your child with epilepsy.
More Information
The nurse’s role is to help, advise and support children and young people with epilepsy and their families. If you have been told your child has epilepsy, there will be lots of questions you may wish to ask These may include:
- What is epilepsy?
- Why has my child developed it?
- How will it affect their/our life?
- Will they be taking medication forever?
- What tests will be done?
There may be many more questions and things you wish to discuss.
The epilepsy nurse specialist will help and support you both at the time of diagnosis and following diagnosis.
Your child will be referred to the service if they have been diagnosed with epilepsy or are undergoing investigation. They must be under the age of 18 years and be registered with a doctor in North East Essex.
They can also be referred if:
- they or their family or carers would like advice, information and support with their epilepsy;
- your child has been referred by a doctor to hospital after a suspected epileptic seizure;
- you need support after your child has been diagnosed with epilepsy;
- you need help to manage your child’s epilepsy; or
- your child’s epilepsy does not respond to medication.
The children’s epilepsy nurse can spend time with you and your child in the clinic or at your home, to discuss any issues or questions you may have about epilepsy and how it may affect your child. The nurse can give you relevant information on topics such as:
- leisure activities;
- first aid/safety;
- medication/side effects;
- healthy diet;
- rescue medication:
- support networks.
The children’s epilepsy nurse works alongside other professionals involved in your child’s care and provides a vital link between families, consultants, and GPs. The children’s epilepsy nurse will also visit your child’s school or nursery to provide training, information and support.
The children’s epilepsy nurse can be located at: Children’s and Adolescent Services Colchester Hospital Turner Road Colchester CO4 5JL
Telephone: 01206 745358 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5 pm)
Email: [email protected]
The contact number is for non-urgent calls only. If your child is unwell and you require emergency assistance, please contact your GP or ring 999.
The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy Childhood Epilepsy Information Services Helpline: 01342 831342 (Monday to Friday, 9am-1 pm) Website: www.youngepilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy Action Helpline: 0808 800 5050 Website: www.epilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy Research UK Website: www.epilepsyresearch.org.uk
Information on anti-epileptic drugs Website: www.drugs.com