Getting healthcare in the UK

• About the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
• About the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)
• NICE and SIGN Guidelines
• Epilepsy specialist nurses
• Seeing an epilepsy specialist privately

About the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 

NICE is an independent organisation that provides guidelines for treatment and care for people using the NHS in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The guidelines are for healthcare professionals, patients and their carers to help them make decisions about treatment and healthcare.

About the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)

SIGN aims to improve the quality of healthcare for patients in Scotland by providing guidelines for treatment and care. The guidelines are for healthcare professionals, patients and their carers, to help them make decisions about treatment and healthcare.

NICE and SIGN guidelines

The NICE and SIGN guidelines recommend that everyone with epilepsy should have their own care plan. This should be agreed between you, your family and/or carers (if appropriate), your GP (family doctor) and your epilepsy specialist.

The guidelines also recommend that you should have a review with a medical professional responsible for your epilepsy care, at least once a year. This is advisable even if you are not experiencing any particular problems. The review is an opportunity to make sure that you are still getting the best treatment for your epilepsy.

• The NICE guidelines
• The SIGN Guidelines

Epilepsy specialist nurses in the UK

Epilepsy specialist nurses can spend time with you discussing your epilepsy, your treatment and any problems you may have, that are related to your epilepsy. As well as seeing you at an epilepsy clinic, they may be able to talk to you over the phone, or visit you at home.

If you would like to find out if there is an epilepsy specialist nurse in your area, contact your GP (family doctor), your epilepsy specialist or Epilepsy Action.

Seeing an epilepsy specialist privately in the UK

Some epilepsy specialists only work within the NHS and do not take private referrals. If you wish to see a specialist privately, you will need to ask your GP (family doctor) to refer you for a private appointment.