Campaigning in Epilepsy Action Northern Ireland and Epilepsy Action Cymru

Epilepsy Action Northern Ireland

New All-Party Group for Epilepsy in Northern Ireland

On Monday 30 April, the first meeting of the All-Party Group (APG) for Epilepsy was held at the Northern Ireland Assembly. This group will work to raise awareness of epilepsy with members at the assembly, and to keep them up-to-date with epilepsy developments. We hope it will promote the needs of people with epilepsy and encourage the use of local expertise in providing good cost effective services to people with epilepsy in Northern Ireland.

The meeting was well attended including Members of the Local Assembly (MLAs) George Robinson and Cathal Boylan and David Gilmour (Political researcher and Press Officer). The JEC represented by Sharon Wood (Chief Executive) along with nine members of the Epilepsy Action Northern Ireland Advisory Council.

George Robinson MLA and Cathal Boylan MLA agreed to be chair and vice chair for the group respectively. Morina Clarke, Manager of Epilepsy Action Northern Ireland will be the group’s secretary. This first meeting was the first stage of a process to log the group with the Standards and Privileges Group at Stormont. The session went well with everyone in support of the APG, and plans are in hand for two more meetings before the summer recess.

Morina

Epilepsy Action in Cymru

Awareness event in National Assembley

Epilepsy Action Cymru held an awareness event in the National Assembly for Wales on 19 June 2012. The event was to celebrate all we have achieved so far since the launch of Epilepsy Action Cymru.

We asked the Assembly Members for excellence - first class epilepsy services for all children, young people and adults living with epilepsy in Wales. Keith Davies AM sponsored the events. He invited Assembly Members and the general public to meet with us, to talk to clinicians and people with epilepsy. Many people with epilepsy contribute to the economy and culture of Wales. That is why we want to make sure that everyone who has epilepsy has access to high quality health services, first class social support and outstanding educational support.

We wanted people to come along and learn about what Wales has to offer. Wales has key clinicians, specialist nurses and a charity with over 60 years’ experience of supporting people with epilepsy.

We will continue to work with our Assembly Members to make first class services a reality.

Ann