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I welcome the publication of the audit report
and would like to congratulate Epilepsy Bereaved for raising
awareness of the issue of Sudden Death in Epilepsy and for their
significant achievement in project managing this audit. It is
an excellent illustration of the significant contribution that
non-governmental organisations can make to healthcare.
In my annual report for 2001, I recommended that genuine commitment
was needed to put right serious long standing weaknesses in
the standard of care for people with epilepsy. I also called
for action to be taken to reduce the numbers of people who die
as a result of the condition.
This National Sentinel Audit makes a vital
contribution to improving care standards. By highlighting weaknesses
in clinical service and treatment structure and by stressing
the importance of tackling poor epilepsy management, the report
also reiterates the potential to achieve a reduction in epilepsy
deaths.
To show my very real commitment to this important
issue, I intend to develop an action plan to reduce the level
of preventable deaths from epilepsy within three months of publication
of this report. I am pleased that work has already begun.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence,
or NICE, has been commissioned to develop a clinical guideline
on the diagnosis management and treatment of epilepsy. NICE
has also been commissioned to undertake technology appraisals
of newer drug treatments in epilepsy management for both adults
and children.
The Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) has also
made a significant contribution. It has produced a “National
Statement of Good Practice” for the treatment and care
of people with epilepsy. This was a government funded voluntary
organisation project.
The importance of improving neurological
services for patients and carers has been recognised in a new
National Service Framework for Long-Term Conditions. This will
include services for people with epilepsy.
I thank Epilepsy Bereaved once again for
presenting such a carefully executed and significant piece of
work.
SIR LIAM DONALDSON
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
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