What is a regional conference?

The Epilepsy Action regional conferences provide an opportunity for people with epilepsy and their families to update themselves on the latest developments.

The conferences also provide an opportunity to meet other people with the condition, to meet and talk to Epilepsy Action staff, branch members and the possibility of speaking to an expert (nurse or consultant for example). Lunch and refreshments are provided and there is access to free literature about many aspects of epilepsy.

Conference video

You can see what happens at our conferences by watching examples online. The speakers and presentations at our 2008 Hull conference were recorded by the Virtual Neurology Conference Centre (VNCC).

The sessions included a review of women’s issues by Professor Pamela Crawford. There were also presentations on non-drug therapy, with sessions on the ketogenic diet and vagal nerve stimulation.

VNCC make a charge for watching the sessions. You can find out more on their website.

Conference report

To give you a flavour of the conferences, we have a report on our conference held in Dudley in the West Midlands in October 2009

Epilepsy Action’s West Midlands Forum organised a conference with regional services manager for Central England, Julie Clark, at the Village Hotel in Dudley on Saturday 3 October. The event was funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.

The event had a great attendance of nearly 80 people, including staff, volunteers and speakers. Feedback showed that around three quarters of the delegates had never attended an Epilepsy Action conference before and found it a really valuable experience. Some even said they learned more in that day than they had in many previous years put together. Other people left feelings “that we are not alone”, and wanting to “stop worrying and take leadership” and “stand up for myself”.

Despite a false start due to the sound equipment arriving late, the conference got under way well, thanks to a very patient audience. Chairing the event was Epilepsy Action’s chief executive, Philip Lee, who introduced Carole Brown to speak. Carole has the rare role of being a specialist epilepsy pharmacist practioner, based with Calderdale PCT. This means Carole is able to write prescriptions and spend more time with patients to review their medication. She gave a very informative talk about the effects of anti-epileptic medication.

Also during the morning session, Simon Lees, a member of Epilepsy Action and trustee of Epilepsy Bereaved, gave a moving talk about his experiences as a person with epilepsy.

Julie Clark then gave an update on the work of Epilepsy Action. She broke the news that the 12,000 target had just been reached for signatures to the e-petition, with the government agreeing to do more consultation on prescription plans. This news inspired cheers and applause from the audience.

After a buffet lunch, nurse practitioner in epilepsy, Lyn Greenhill, spoke about the role and value of an epilepsy specialist nurse. She was followed by her colleague, Dr Andrea Cavanna, consultant in behavioural neurology, speaking about his specialism and the role of a doctor. Everyone enjoyed the banter between the two colleagues, which made it quite clear the nurse’s role was not in the shadow of the doctor’s!

Philip Lee used the final session of the afternoon to get the audience involved and share their top tips for epilepsy and lifestyle.

Advice and information stands from Epilepsy Action’s West Midlands Forum, Epilepsy Bereaved and Matthew's Friends gave further opportunities for people to talk to others and find out more. The forum volunteers were given a special thank you for their hard work throughout the region.

The overall success of the day cannot be summed up better than in the words of the delegates themselves: “thanks for having the conference locally”, “lots of previously unanswered questions were answered”, “good to meet strangers and become friends and talk about each other’s epilepsies”. It was also great to hear “I will get more involved in Epilepsy Action”!