More than 100 staff from London Gatwick Airport’s security and passenger operations are receiving specialist training from Epilepsy Action on epilepsy awareness, seizure first aid and the impact the condition can have on everyday life.
While passenger operations colleagues already receive first-aid training that includes seizure response, the new programme provides additional insight and understanding, helping staff better support passengers with epilepsy and travel with greater confidence.
As well as seizure first aid, the specialist programme takes trainees through additional information including how epilepsy affects daily life and life in the workplace.
Screens at the airport’s baggage reclaim, check-in and terminal areas will also display information on epilepsy and Epilepsy Action, with passengers being encouraged to learn seizure first aid.
It’s estimated that more than 1,170 people with epilepsy will travel as passengers through London Gatwick each day – that’s someone passing through every minute.
This training is hugely reassuring
Imogen Cauthery, from Bristol, lives with epilepsy and travels at least four times a year. She said: “I often find myself worrying lots about things related to memory; time, correct gate, all documents for medication.
“Any connecting flight under two hours means stress, which is a trigger for seizures, so I occasionally must spend the night in the airport or country instead.
“My biggest fear at the airport is having a seizure and not being allowed to fly. It’s happened a few times and has been very stressful. I have had a seizure on board a flight once before, and a passenger stepped in to help.
“It helps so much when people know what is happening and understand the condition, but this is rare. Knowing that airport staff have had training would help loads.”
Imogen called travelling with epilepsy “a risky challenge” due to the unpredictability of the condition and urged airport staff to make travel “as stress free as possible”.
“The more comfortable and confident we feel, the less likely we are to have a seizure.”
Torie Robinson is also a frequent flyer from London and loves to travel, something which she has never let her epilepsy hold her back from.
She said: “Living with an epilepsy means having to think beyond the usual stresses of airports and travel. I’m a confident traveller, and love airports. I don’t, however, feel confident that airport staff or the general public would necessarily recognise all types of seizures or know what to do – or not do – if witnessing one.
“It’s not always just about the seizures themselves – afterwards, we can be exhausted, feel embarrassed (even though we shouldn’t) sometimes confused, feel physical pain or injury, and more.
“I am so pleased to hear that London Gatwick have introduced this training as it is hugely reassuring for people affected by the epilepsies. I hope other airports follow Gatwick’s example and ensure their staff are trained.”
London Gatwick welcoming and inclusive
Lucy Williams, passenger accessibility manager, London Gatwick, said the airport, which was “the birthplace of the Sunflower Lanyard”, is “proud” to have Epilepsy Action as one of its accessibility partners.
She said: “We’re delighted to partner with Epilepsy Action to strengthen awareness and support for people travelling with epilepsy.
“As part of our vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey, we are committed to making London Gatwick a welcoming and inclusive airport.
“While our Passenger Operations team already receive first aid training that includes seizure response, Epilepsy Action’s expertise has helped build wider understanding and awareness across the airport.”
Confident and supported in travel
Charlotte Stern, corporate partnerships manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “Epilepsy is a condition that often impacts daily life, and this can include additional stresses such as managing medication, extreme fatigue and anxiety caused by the possibility of seizures.
“Whilst our community want to be able to travel with ease, we know that the reality can be an extremely stressful experience. This is deeply concerning to us, as stress can be one of the main triggers for seizures.
“Following recent conversations within our community, we know that most people with epilepsy say they aren’t confident that some airport staff would know what to do in if they were to have a seizure.
“This is why epilepsy awareness training is so important for airport staff. At Epilepsy Action, our mission is to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy, and that includes helping people feel confident and supported when they travel. We’re delighted to partner with London Gatwick and hope others will follow its lead.”
There is more information about Epilepsy Action’s training resources online.
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