Kent epilepsy service improves patient dignity and cuts ambulance call-outs

Kent Community Health Trust’s epilepsy service runs 18 clinics across east Kent in GP surgeries, health centres, hospitals and nurses also see patients in their own homes.

Nurses look at the frequency of seizures with the ultimate aim of getting patients seizure free, with minimal medication and side-effects.

The trust has been running an epilepsy clinic at Little Oyster Residential Home every three months for the past six years.

Home general manager Christine Kite said: “We have about 60 patients and at the moment more than 10 have epilepsy.”

She said that due to the clinic the home very rarely had to call an ambulance and patients had fewer seizures and, when they did have one, they could be medicated appropriately.

“The clinic has made a tremendous difference to the lifestyle, wellbeing and dignity of our patients and our staff feel more confident which means our patients feel reassured too,” she said.