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Epilepsy plans 'to aid patients' Epilepsy proposals 'are UK first'
(about 2 hours later)
New plans to improve care for thousands of people in Wales with epilepsy have been announced by Health Minister Edwina Hart. Plans to improve care for people with epilepsy in Wales have been announced in a strategy the assembly government believes is the UK's first of its kind.
Measures to reduce the incidence of epilepsy, help people to self-manage their condition and ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment are included.Measures to reduce the incidence of epilepsy, help people to self-manage their condition and ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment are included.
Experts, stakeholders and people with epilepsy will have 12 weeks to review the strategy. The All-Wales Epilepsy Forum said it hoped the plan would be implemented.
The All Wales Epilepsy Forum said it hoped the plans would be implemented. It also includes measures to provide more care closer to peoples' homes, reducing hospital admissions.
The strategy, which the assembly government believes is the first of its kind in the UK, also includes measures to provide more care closer to peoples' homes, reducing the likelihood of hospital admission.
Well-managed medication procedures can help around 70% of people with epilepsy to be seizure-free - thereby reducing the risk of emergency admission, said the assembly government.Well-managed medication procedures can help around 70% of people with epilepsy to be seizure-free - thereby reducing the risk of emergency admission, said the assembly government.
Under the plans, each Local Health Board would be required to develop a local action plan for epilepsy by September 2008 and ensure multi-disciplinary teams are in place by March 2009.Under the plans, each Local Health Board would be required to develop a local action plan for epilepsy by September 2008 and ensure multi-disciplinary teams are in place by March 2009.
Epilepsy Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in WalesIt is estimated there are between 20,000 and 30,000 people living with the condition1,500 more people every year develop epilepsyAround 1,000 people die every year in the UK because of epilepsyThe chance of premature death is two or three times more likely for people living with epilepsy compared to the general population EPILEPSY Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in WalesIt is estimated between 20,000 - 30,000 people live with the condition1,500 more people every year develop epilepsyAround 1,000 people die every year in the UK because of epilepsyThe chance of premature death is two or three times more likely for people living with epilepsy compared to the general population
Appropriate evidence-based care pathways would also be developed to ensure people with epilepsy were treated in the right place, at the right time and by the right person. Methods will also be developed to ensure people with epilepsy are treated in the right place, at the right time and by the right person.
The plans were developed in partnership with the All Wales Epilepsy Forum and other key stakeholders including health and social care professionals with expertise in epilepsy. The plans were developed in partnership with the All-Wales Epilepsy Forum and groups such as health and social care professionals with expertise in epilepsy.
Ms Hart said the assembly government was committed to providing better services that were more patient-centred, integrated across health, social care and voluntary sector organisations and delivered closer to people's homes.Ms Hart said the assembly government was committed to providing better services that were more patient-centred, integrated across health, social care and voluntary sector organisations and delivered closer to people's homes.
"I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government is leading the way in improving the care and treatment for people living with epilepsy," she added."I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government is leading the way in improving the care and treatment for people living with epilepsy," she added.
Welcoming the strategy, Ann Reynolds, chair of the All-Wales Epilepsy Forum, said: "If the plans are implemented fully we believe they should lead to real improvements in epilepsy services and have a positive impact for people with epilepsy in Wales."Welcoming the strategy, Ann Reynolds, chair of the All-Wales Epilepsy Forum, said: "If the plans are implemented fully we believe they should lead to real improvements in epilepsy services and have a positive impact for people with epilepsy in Wales."
The proposals will be out to consultation until 2 May The proposals will be put out to consultation until 2 May.