A Staffordshire MP has been honoured with an Epilepsy Action Award for Excellence in recognition of her dedicated support for people living with epilepsy in the region.
Charlotte Atkins, Labour MP for Staffordshire Moorlands, was nominated for the prestigious award by one of her local constituents, Graham Deakin of Caverswall in Staffordshire Moorlands. Graham made the nomination to show his appreciation of Ms Atkins' support when called upon for help with epilepsy-related issues.
Graham said: "Charlotte has always been helpful whenever I have needed her for anything and if she has not been able to help, has referred me to the relevant person. I have found her to be most reliable”.
Charlotte Atkins MP said: "I am delighted to receive this award from Epilepsy Action and Graham. As a member of the prestigious Commons Health Select Committee, I am very interested in this whole issue. I am committed to doing what I can to improve access to specialist care for people with epilepsy".
The award was presented to Charlotte Atkins by Graham Deakin and Epilepsy Action's campaigns and policy officer, Michaela Miller. This award forms part of Epilepsy Action's Award for Excellence scheme which recognises MPs who have gone that extra mile in helping people access better epilepsy services in their local area.
This award presentation follows on from Epilepsy Action's call for MPs to be more epilepsy aware during National Epilepsy Week (May 18-25), where survey results highlighting a lack of awareness amongst MPs about the condition were released.
Epilepsy Action is the UK's largest member-led epilepsy organisation. Last year alone the organisation directly helped over 731,000 people through a range of services, including its advice and information centre, branch network, Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050 and website www.epilepsy.org.uk