latest health care news

17.04.13

Epilepsy audit shows half of children not seeing specialists

Variation in care for young people with epilepsy has been mapped across the UK in the first national audit for the condition.

The Child and Maternal Health Observatory and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have launched an interactive map of the UK, showing how each epilepsy unit scores against each of the 12 standard indicators, allowing units to compare performance and a graph highlighting the average score for each indicator.

The tools will help units to interpret data more easily and are accompanied by a set of action plans and useful resources to improve services.

The Epilepsy12 Audit found that 54% of children with epilepsy are not seeing an epilepsy specialist nurse, 40% are not seeing a paediatric neurologist when indicated and 35% do not have a complete firs assessment.

Paediatrician and project lead for the Epilepsy12 Audit Dr Colin Dunkley, said: “These tools will allow units to better understand how they are performing compared to best practice with the ultimate aim of raising the standards of epilepsy care for children.

“There’s no doubt that epilepsy care in the UK is getting better but there remains too many gaps in provision. So it’s important to fill these gaps, learn what’s working well and reduce the variation.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

featured articles

View all News

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us throu more > more last word articles >

health service focus

View all News

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental ... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual... more >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side wi... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >