MSP pledges support for epilepsy care

Mr Hepburn has joined fellow SNP MSPs including cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing MSP Alex Neil, in pledging his full support for a fair provision of services for people living with epilepsy throughout Scotland.

Mr Hepburn met with Epilepsy Consortium chairwoman Allana Parker at the consortium’s exhibition at the 2013 SNP conference.

At the exhibition, he learned more about the work that the consortium is doing to support the 54,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland.

He also discovered that the consortium has created a geographical mapping project which allows them to identify where additional support in Scotland may be required.

He said: “I was interested to learn that around 700 people in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth have or will develop epilepsy, therefore it is vitally important to ensure that when people need access to epilepsy care there is uniformity in the care provided to them.

“I am glad to hear of the geographical mapping currently being undertaken by Epilepsy Consortium Scotland’s members in order to in point exactly where additional support may be required.”

Allana Parker, who is chairwoman of the Epilepsy Consortium Scotland, said: “Eight people are newly diagnosed with epilepsy each and every day.

“This is why our members are currently mapping epilepsy services run by health, education, social care providers, and the third sector.

“Details will be passed to the Scottish Government and joint working agencies so that we can assist them to redress this situation.”

For more information, visiwww.epilepsyconsortiumscotland.co.uk/