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Neurological nurse specialists; a vital resource under threat

Lancet Neurology article: Neurological nurse specialists - a vital resource under threat

Josh Coleman, Young Epilepsy Director of National Services said:

Young Epilepsy wholeheartedly supports the issues raised in Mario Christodoulou’s Lancet Neurology article which should ring alarm bells for those commissioning health services across the country. As a charity we are gravely concerned about any threat to the provision of services to those living with epilepsy and that includes provision of epilepsy nurses.

Specialist nurses play a significant part in care management, ensuring that patients are well informed and their condition is appropriately managed. National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines recommend people with epilepsy have access to epilepsy nurses and there is significant evidence the work of epilepsy nurses can lead to reductions in emergency hospital admissions and lead to greater efficiencies for the NHS.

Mario Christodoulou’s Lancet Neurology article can be found here:

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(12)70030-3/fulltext

In the article Christodolou states that:

• Proposed budget cuts in the UK NHS pose a threat to the number of neurological nurses
• Specialist nurses can create a number of cost benefits
• Focused training and knowledge enable specialist nurses to provide individualised care