The Sheffield and District branch of national charity, Epilepsy Action, has committed £1,500 to epilepsy training for nurses in Sheffield. This will help improve the treatment of people with epilepsy in the region.
The training will earn nurses a professional diploma in epilepsy care. The course helps nurses to gain knowledge, skills and understanding of people living with epilepsy. After the course nurses will understand how to interact appropriately with those with the condition and their families.
The course focuses specifically on the diagnosis of the condition and the most common social and psychological issues surrounding it. It also includes the issues which are most important to people with epilepsy and their families.
Duncan Froggatt, branch officer of the Sheffield and District Branch of Epilepsy Action, said: "We are delighted to be able to contribute this money to nurses in the Sheffield District. Appropriate training is crucial when dealing with people with epilepsy. It is evermore apparent that there are not enough epilepsy specialist nurses in the NHS at the moment."
Carina Mack, clinical manager at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We're really pleased that Epilepsy Action's Sheffield and District branch is raising funds for nurse training. The trust has a long history of delivering epilepsy services and was the first hospital in the UK to appoint an epilepsy specialist nurse in 1990. I remember it well as I was that nurse.”
“Since then the department has grown significantly and high quality epilepsy services have remained at the forefront of the neurology department’s work. Although I am now the clinical manager for neurosciences, I know from personal experience that epilepsy specialist nurses are vital in providing a quality service. As a department we have always worked closely with Epilepsy Action. This partnership goes a long way to helping provide better services for people living with epilepsy.”
The Sheffield and District branch is one of Epilepsy Action's extensive network of branches throughout the UK. Branches hold regular meetings and offer a variety of social events and informative talks and discussions relating to epilepsy. Meetings offer the opportunity for people to share their experiences of living with epilepsy and also raise awareness of the condition in the local community.