Supplementary evidence submitted by the
Joint Epilepsy Council (WP 10A)
INTRODUCTION
The Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) initially submitted
written evidence to this inquiry in March 2006. Since the submission
and during the course of the inquiry, a number of further serious
issues have emerged, largely related to the current NHS financial
crisis. Recent figures suggest that around 10% of all Epilepsy
Specialist Nurses (ESNs) across the UK are currently threatened
with redundancy, reduced hours or assignment to non-specialist
duties. The JEC is also concerned that the current financial climate
within the NHS is not conducive to addressing additional workforce
issues, including the critical shortfall of neurologists in the
UK. The JEC would therefore like to take this opportunity to raise
these serious issues with members of the Committee and with the
Health Minister, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath.
EPILEPSY SPECIALIST
NURSES
Epilepsy Specialist Nurses (ESNs) are a crucial
source of support and advice to patients with epilepsy, and enable
many patients to manage their epilepsy effectively and to remain
independent in the community. Their vital role has been recognised
by the Government on numerous occasions, including the recent
NICE clinical guidance on the diagnosis and management of epilepsy
which stated that "epilepsy specialist nurses should be an
integral part of the network of care of individuals with epilepsy".
There are approximately 170 Epilepsy Specialist Nurses in the
UK and the JEC has been campaigning for this number to increase
to 600, following a consensus statement produced by expert clinical
epileptologists and representatives of the epilepsy voluntary
sector. However, despite the already chronic shortage of ESNs
across Britain, 10% of the current workforce is under threat and
the JEC is now forced to defend the status quo, rather than focusing
on expanding the excellent service provided by ESNs.
There is no dispute regarding the efficacy of
ESNs. Epilepsy specialist nurses save the NHS money by releasing
consultants' and neurologists' time, reducing accident and emergency
admissions, enhancing patients' adherence to anti-epileptic treatment
and reducing the use of hospital beds. Clear evidence displays
high levels of patient satisfaction, reduced psychosocial trauma,
less time off work, less medical input and fewer readmissions.
In addition, the threat to Specialist Nurses
posts is not limited to those who have specialised in Epilepsy.
Specialist Nurses providing services for people with a wide range
of other long-term neurological conditions, such as Parkinsons
and Multiple Sclerosis are facing similar threats. It would appear
that service providers find Specialist Nurses an easy target when
trying to balance the books.
SHORTFALL OF
NEUROLOGISTS
As the JEC highlighted in its Written Evidence,
there is serious concern over the lack of planning in addressing
the critical shortfall in the number of neurologists in England,
particularly those who are specialised in epilepsy. This shortfall
has serious implications for the treatment and care offered to
people with epilepsy, further compounded by the threats to ESNs
as highlighted above.
It is vital that the Government adopts a national
target with regards to neurologists in order to effectively implement
key programmes such as the recommendations of the National Service
Framework for Long-Term Conditions and the policies clearly set
out in the recent White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say.
In terms of longer-term workforce planning for
those with long-term conditions including epilepsy, the JEC would
like to see a programme to increase the number of adult neurologists
from 352 to 1,400; paediatric neurologists from 75 to 150; learning
disability specialists from 340 to 500; and neuro-radiologists
from 110 to 160.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Joint Epilepsy Council of the U.K. and Ireland
(JEC) is an umbrella organisation of 22 epilepsy organisations,
operating in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the
Republic of Ireland, to work collaboratively in a focussed, professional
and effective manner, facilitating the sharing of information,
expertise and skills, promoting good practice, maximising resources
and identifying unmet needs.
Joint Epilepsy Council
24 January 2007
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