Epilepsy diagnostics

The Young Epilepsy Diagnostic Suite is home to Diagnostic EEG , routine and video-telemetry EEG, and OPM-MEG research. We offer inpatient and outpatient EEG diagnostics for children and young people up to the age of 25. 

Unlike other clinical settings, one of the key advantages of our diagnostic suite is its location and special aesthetic design providing a calm, friendly and person-centred environment helping young people and their families to settle with ease.

Our unique setting, and friendly team of staff, helps reduce anxieties sometimes associated with more traditional medical centres and thereby increases the likelihood of good data collection.

This page covers the specific services we offer, who we offer services to, and the referral and diagnostic process.

Ready to make a referral?  Download our EEG referral form  and once it’s complete, please email it to: youngepilepsy.diagnostics@nhs.net

What we offer

We offer EEG and video telemetry diagnostics services to the NHS and other organisations, and accept private referrals.

The diagnostic EEG and video telemetry techniques offer routine to long term EEG monitoring, including in-patient and out-patient video telemetry options. Following appointments, reports are sent directly to the referring consultants within 3 working days.

Specifically, we provide:

  • Routine awake EEG
  • Routine sleep EEG
  • Ambulatory EEG: usually one night
  • In-patient video telemetry: one to four nights
  • Home video telemetry: one to three night

Young Epilepsy is also home to the first clinical OPM-MEG. OPM-MEG technology will transform epilepsy diagnosis into a much gentler, less intrusive experience, allowing for more accurate data collection, earlier diagnosis and interventions, and better management, treatment and health outcomes.  OPM-MEG is currently undergoing clinical trials and will become part of our routine clinical offer in the future. Find out more about OPM-MEG here.

Ready to make a referral?  Download our EEG referral form  and once it’s complete, please email it to: youngepilepsy.diagnostics@nhs.net

What is the referral and diagnosis process? 

1. We accept referrals from the child or young person’s GP, childcare specialist or consultant.  You can download a EEG referral form at here


2. Our diagnostic team will discuss the referral with the referring health care professional and quickly determine level of clinical urgency.


3. Our diagnostic team then contacts the family directly to arrange an appointment.


4. We send out an appointment letter, consent form and detailed information about the test procedure.


5. We then conduct in-patient or out-patient diagnostic test(s), depending on the type of EEG or video telemetry requested.


6. Within one to three working days, we compile the test results into a detailed report and send it directly to the referring health care professional.

Ready to make a referral?  Download EEG referral form  and once it’s complete, please email it to: youngepilepsy.diagnostics@nhs.net

An EEG (electroencephalogram) is the painless process of recording brain activity.

During an EEG investigation, small sensors are attached to the scalp to pick up the electrical signals produced when brain cells send messages to each other.  The electric signals are recorded by a machine and are analysed by our trained specialists.

An EEG can be used to help diagnose and monitor a number of conditions affecting the brain. The main use of an EEG is to detect and investigate seizures. An EEG will help to identify what type of epilepsy the child or young person may have, what may be triggering their seizures and how best to treat them.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a neuroimaging tool that records naturally occurring brain function by measuring minute changes in magnetic fields produced as brain cells communicate. It is a vital part of neurological diagnostics and surgical evaluation. MEG has existed as a brain scanning technology for many years, but the old design has critical limitations.

We have developed a new wearable, MEG system, known as OPM-MEG.

The new technology uses a different type of sensor, optically pumped magnetometers (OPM), which don’t need cryogenic cooling to work. In the new system the child wears a helmet with sensors attached, meaning that the sensors are closer to the scalp, and crucially, the new system allows children to move within an area of zero magnetic field created by the new lightweight shielded Mu-room, where the scan is carried out.

OPM-MEG is 10 times more sensitive than traditional MEG systems. This is largely due to the sensors’ placement in a wearable helmet rather than a in a fixed adult-sized hood. You can read more here about OPM-MEG 

Whilst these imaging tools both measure brain function, they measure different things. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain whereas OPM-MEG measures magnetic fields in the brain and is therefore more accurate. EEG is currently widely used but OPM MEG is brand new and not yet available for clinical use. Both will have an important role to play in the diagnosis of epilepsy in the future. You can read more here about the development of  OPM-MEG 

Young boy smiles at camera wearing an orange OPM-MEG helmet

Coming soon

Through innovation and cutting-edge technology, we are revolutionising the diagnostic experience for children with epilepsy with a wearable brain scanning system designed specifically for children, called OPM-MEG.

Find out more

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Support & inclusion

Our Support and inclusion team works with young people and their families to help them through their diagnosis and beyond, to better understand their rights, as well as helping them get access to the right services and support.