Lockdown lockout of epilepsy treatment

THE second lockdown of Melbourne is preventing Tasmanians with epilepsy from accessing life-changing treatments and has highlighted the need for much more investment into finding a cure.

Epilepsy Tasmania chief executive Wendy Groot said the coronavirus lockdown in this state had been extremely difficult for many people with epilepsy, particularly when the rules restricted their access to carers and support networks.

She said the second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria was causing even more concern, with patients unable to attend scheduled neurology appointments in Melbourne and potentially lifesaving surgeries put on hold indefinitely.

“During the lockdown period here people we were hearing of some people avoiding going to hospital and potentially putting themselves at risk. Then the private neurologists stopped coming from Victoria and, if they were doing appointments, it was by zoom and our clients said they felt rushed and like they were not getting the support they needed,” Ms Groot said.

She said the not-for-profit organisation, which is funded by the State Government, but only until the end of the year, had been busily helping clients who had not been able to access their regular GPs and specialists during the crisis.

Staff had been flat out, “working off the side of their desks”, phoning clients who were suffering anxiety and related health problems as a result of the uncertainty around their treatment.

“People are really struggling with the fact they cannot fly to Melbourne to attend their scheduled appointments,” Ms Groot said.

Ms Groot said 20,000 Tasmanians had epilepsy and the crisis had highlighted the need for greater investment in research into a cure and treatments for the disease.