72
People
Number of people in A&E department
2:05
Hours
Average wait to be seen by a clinician
2:32
Hours
Average time in the department
Contact details
Paediatric Epilepsy Team 0118 322 7531 (Option 1)
Adult Epilepsy Specialist Nurses 0118 322 8486
Related locations
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain, causing repeated seizures. Anyone can have a one-off seizure, but it doesn’t always mean they have epilepsy. People are usually only diagnosed with epilepsy if their doctor thinks there’s a high chance they could have more seizures. Epilepsy can start at any age and there are many different types. Some types last for a limited time, but for many people, epilepsy can be a life-long condition.
At Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we have Paediatric and Adult Epilepsy teams who are here to provide treatment and support you.
Diagnosis
Getting an epilepsy diagnosis can take time and your doctor may suggest having some tests. There is no single test that can diagnose epilepsy. Your doctor will need to understand what your symptoms are and what happens when you have a seizure before they can diagnose epilepsy. It is really important to give as much details as possible and describe the seizure, detailing what happened before, during and after the seizure; how long it lasted, and if possible video the event. One of the tests that your doctor may request is an EEG (electroencephalogram) which is a test to record the electrical activity of your child’s brain.
The Paediatric EEG department is based at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford and once the referral has been sent you will be contacted by the team in Oxford with a date and time.
Treatment
If you’re diagnosed with epilepsy, you’ll need to look at your treatment options with your doctor. The first step is usually to find an epilepsy medicine which works for you. But if your seizures are hard to treat with epilepsy medicine, there are other treatments that could help. Find out more about treatment on the Epilepsy Action and Epilepsy Society websites.
Seizures can put you at risk of accidents and injury, so it’s a good idea to think about safety. There are many activities and situations that carry some sort of risk, even if you don’t have epilepsy. But people still do these activities – otherwise no-one would ever cross the road!
If you have epilepsy, your seizures can put you at greater risk of accidents or injuries. And you may worry about keeping safe. Not everyone with epilepsy has the same level of risk. For example, if your seizures are controlled, you may not be at any more risk than a person who doesn’t have epilepsy. But if you are still having seizures you may be at more risk.
Some of the injuries you might be at risk of include head injuries, drowning, fractures and burns. Some of the riskiest situations involve heights, traffic, water and sources of heat or power.
More information on safety advice for people with epilepsy - Epilepsy Action
Knowing what to do when someone has a seizure can help you feel prepared and less likely to panic when you see one. When someone is having a seizure it’s important to stay with them until the seizure is over and they are fully recovered. Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery – it may give you information about their seizures and what to do. Most people with epilepsy don’t need an ambulance when they have a seizure. Some people are prescribed emergency medicine to stop seizures that last too long. Not everyone has just one type of seizure. For some people, it may start as one type and move on to another.
Having Epilepsy should not stop you from travelling and this includes trips via airplane and abroad. However, it is important to be prepared. Before you travel makes sure that you have:
- More medications than the amount you need for your trip in case your time away is prolonged due to unforeseen circumstances. Also separate medications between hand luggage and hold luggage in case you lose one or the other.
- Clinic letters and paperwork to justify you carrying medications through airport checks (some anti-epileptic medications are controlled).
- An emergency care plan in case your child has a seizure while abroad or while travelling (including during a flight). Also make sure you have any emergency medications on you at all times.
- Adequate travel insurance to cover you in case you need medical services while abroad.
- A plan on how to gradually adjust the time you give medications in case you are travelling to a destination with a significant time difference from the UK.
- Avoid where possible early morning flights if your Epilepsy is triggered by sleep deprivation.
It is important that Nurseries, Schools, Colleges, and other Educational Organisations know how to support any child or young person with epilepsy. The information outlined in this section aims to equip education staff and settings with knowledge and tools to meet each child and young person’s individual needs.
Epilepsy and learning
Supporting a child or young person with epilepsy in schools is more than managing a seizure in an emergency. Epilepsy may impact a person’s ability to learn, and affect concentration and memory. In some cases, a pupil may require an Education and Health Care Plan to ensure the appropriate additional provisions and adjustments are made to support them. Some students may require additional time for tests and exams (typically 15 extra minutes per hour of examination).
Epilepsy and behaviour
Some children and young people with epilepsy may experience changes in behaviour. Behavioural changes also can be a side-effect caused by some anti-epileptic medication. Please discuss with the parent(s)/carer(s), so they can raise concerns with the epilepsy team.
Epilepsy and Mental Health
Children and young people with epilepsy are at higher risk of mental health and associated psychological difficulties. Where available, educational staff should ensure child and young people are aware of any local mental health support services including School-counselling services.
Epilepsy training
Education staff should have regular epilepsy awareness training, which should include an overview of epilepsy and seizure first aid. If a pupil attending the educational setting has been prescribed seizure rescue medication, training on how to administer this will also be required.
Epilepsy and educational organisations responsibilities
Children and Young People with epilepsy should not be excluded from attending school, or participating in activities which they could do with a risk assessment and reasonable adjustments. The Department of Education published Statutory Guidance in 2015, Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions covers this issue.
You may be able to claim benefits if you have epilepsy. There are also other financial support schemes available.
ind out if you're eligible for free NHS prescriptions and any help with other NHS costs, including sight tests and NHS dental treatment. This service will ask about your age, where you live and any health conditions you have.
When applying for benefits, please contact your Epilepsy Nurse to discuss this.
Most people with a diagnosis of epilepsy will take anti-seizure medication (ASM) to stop their seizures from happening. Although generally epilepsy cannot be ‘cured’, for most people, seizures can be 'controlled' (stopped) so that epilepsy has little or no impact on their lives. They do this by changing the levels of chemicals in the brain that control electrical activity. So, treatment is often about managing seizures in the long-term.