Funding call as epilepsy charity launches new campaign

CHARITY Epilepsy Scotland has launched a new campaign to mark National Epilepsy Week, which begins today.

The #BeyondSeizure campaign highlights the long-lasting impact epilepsy can have on people living with the condition, and the funding required to support them.

Epilepsy Scotland said it is time the Scottish Government, councils and health boards recognised the vital importance of social support services delivered by health charities and that they accept they cannot keep expecting those services to be delivered free.

While some people with epilepsy live normal lives because their seizures are controlled well by medication, many experience challenges that can affect numerous aspects of their lives.

Epilepsy can affect mental health and memory, and may have an impact on people’s social life, employment prospects, and freedom to drive, which can all lead to social isolation.

It can also lead to early death – more than 100 people a year in Scotland die of the condition. Epilepsy Scotland provides social support that focuses on giving people resources and knowledge and helping them to develop skills and confidence to live well and safely with epilepsy and to self-manage their condition.

It said evidence shows that people who have good social support and better manage their health conditions have better overall health outcomes and, crucially, use health services less often. Yet despite receiving a steady number of referrals from neurology departments and GPs across Scotland, no health board provides funding for Epilepsy Scotland. Chief executive Lesslie Young (pictured) said: “During National Epilepsy Week, we want to highlight the incredible stories of people living with epilepsy who battle with the challenges the condition brings and show amazing resilience.

“We also want to highlight the lack of statutory funding for delivering the social support services which ultimately save the NHS money. It’s time for statutory bodies to start paying for services we deliver that directly benefit them.”

Throughout National Epilepsy Week, Epilepsy Scotland will highlight the impact the condition can have on memory, learning, looking for work or those who are working. It will also be sharing stories from people living with epilepsy.