Nine out of ten MPs don't know how many people in the UK have epilepsy. This is despite the fact that it is the most common serious neurological condition, affecting 456,000 UK residents. MPs' lack of awareness has been revealed today by national charity Epilepsy Action, as part of a campaign to mark National Epilepsy Week 2008 (May 18-25).
The figures were uncovered by a survey carried out by ComRes , which asked a cross section of MPs how well they were informed about epilepsy. As well as asking how many people live with epilepsy, the survey asked about the current state of epilepsy care in the UK.
Over half (54 per cent) said they didn't know how many neurologists there are in the UK. In fact, there are only 486 consultant neurologists, which falls far short of the 909 recommended by the Royal College of Physicians. This significant shortage is highlighted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Epilepsy report 'Wasted money, wasted lives ', launched in June 2007.
Simon Wigglesworth, Epilepsy Action's deputy chief executive, said that a number of MPs have shown great commitment to highlighting the needs of people with epilepsy. For example, in producing the APPG report and bringing to notice the plight of epilepsy specialist nurses under threat last year.
"We are fortunate to have some excellent supporters in the House of Commons but we need more. It is only when more people understand epilepsy that we can take real steps to deliver better healthcare for people living with the condition."
Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip - Northwood, who helped produce the APPG report, said: "The results of this survey show the real lack of awareness about epilepsy that still exists amongst MPs. I am calling on my colleagues to get to grips with this major health issue that affects so many UK people, and help to make changes for the better."
The problems facing people with epilepsy in getting the recognition they need were brought into sharp focus this week after Health Services Minister, Ann Keen for the third time pulled out of a meeting to discuss epilepsy services. She has been due to attend meetings with the APPG on Epilepsy, the umbrella body of epilepsy charities, and to meet with the Joint Epilepsy Council. Attempts to reschedule a meeting with the minister have so far failed.
Simon Wigglesworth said: "Hold ups in establishing meetings to discuss proposed improvements to services only lead to longer delays for patients waiting for much needed better care."
Epilepsy Action is urging members of the public to raise awareness of epilepsy by visiting or writing to their MP. Template letters are available on www.epilepsy.org.uk The hope is that this will re-focus their attention on the 30 recommendations in the APPG report. Without these improvements, people with epilepsy will continue to experience unnecessary seizures and face an unnecessarily increased risk of avoidable death.