More epilepsy nurse specialists needed

The Irish Epilepsy Association, Brainwave, has called for the creation of eight community epilepsy specialist nurse (CESN) posts. Such a move, it said, will improve the standards of care of those living with the condition.

In a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, the association pointed out that currently, there are just two epilepsy nurse specialists working in the entire country and both of these are based in Dublin. It is calling for the creation of eight CESN posts, two for each of the four HSE regions.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition which is diagnosed when someone has recurrent seizures caused by excess electrical activity in the brain. An estimated 35,000 people in Ireland are affected.

According to the chief executive of Brainwave, Mike Glynn, the CESN plays a ‘pivotal role’ in the management of epilepsy.

“There are only two specialist nurses working in Ireland and there are none outside of Dublin. There has been no addition to the numbers since 2004, despite evidence that they can reduce the length of stay in hospital for people with epilepsy, reduce waiting lists and increase patient satisfaction”, Mr Glynn explained.

He highlighted the fact that neurological services in Ireland continue to lag at the bottom of the European league table and are actually more on a par with many third world countries. One of the major reasons for this is the continuing shortage of specialist personnel on the ground, particularly consultant neurologists.

“The recruitment of an additional 20 consultants is something that will take time to achieve, time that people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions don’t necessarily have. Brainwave believes that the recruitment of additional specialist nurses is an effective short-term solution to the current problem”, Mr Glynn said.

He insisted that these posts would help to fill the service gaps that exist and reduce the two-year waiting lists for people with epilepsy.

The first CESN post was appointed by Brainwave and Beaumont Hospital in 2002. The second was appointed by Brainwave and Tallaght Hospital in 2004. These nurses work in close collaboration with the neurologists and their teams in the management and assessment of epilepsy.

They also provide education, support and advice to people with the condition and their families.

“All attempts by Brainwave at getting CESNs in place outside of Dublin have failed, largely as a result of HSE blocks on any additional staff numbers. Even when we have offered to fundraise for the cost of CESN positions for up to 18 months, it has made no difference”, Mr Glynn explained.

He said that Brainwave was ‘hopeful’ that the Joint Oireachtas Committee would support its proposal ‘and help break the logjam that currently exists’.

For more information on epilepsy, see our Epilepsy Clinic, which was developed in association with Brainwave at…http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/epilepsy/

[Posted: Wed 21/05/2008]