The programme has made significant gains. Realisation of some of the objectives of the programme can be seen with the development of epilepsy centres, 16.5 WTE ANP Epilepsy in post, an award winning EPR in use across the country and the development of additional highly specialised centre.

The activity of the ANPs has grown exponentially and this is reflected in the overall reduction of both patients admitted to hospital with Epilepsy and the average length of stay of Epilepsy patients when admitted to hospital.

Standard Operating Procedures

• Sign off by Epilepsy CAG & approval by Obs & Gynea CAG for Practice Guide on the management of women with epilepsy
• Sign off by CAG on 13 additional SOPs which are in use across epilepsy centres

Integrated Care Pathway for Acute Seizure Management 

• Presentation at inaugural integrated care conference
• Engagement with key stakeholders regarding the implementation of the pathway
• Plans for Audit of Epilepsy Patients presenting in Emergency services in collaboration with European NASH study.
• National Guideline Development Group established to look at development of National Guidance Document on management of Acute seizures across many service delivery sites including in the pre-hospital care and care in residential settings (for those with Intellectual Disabilities)

Epilepsy Nursing

• Nurse led Epilepsy Clinics and Services have become a leading light for all nurse led services
• Exponential growth in clinical encounters as demonstrated below. Much of this growth can be attributed to the Epilepsy Nurse Practitioners

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Electronic Patient Record

• In use in 10 sites across Ireland (Beaumont, SJH, Galway University, Limerick University, Sligo Regional, Connolly Hospital, Cavan Monaghan hospital Group, Mater, AMNCH, Cork University Hospital
• Supporting Outreach to intellectual disability residential setting at Daughters of Charity, Clonsilla, Cheeverstown, St Mary’s Drumcar
• Supporting outreach to obstetric services
• Total number of clinical encounters increasing by 30% year on year.
• January 2016  - a 22% growth in EPR records over last 12 months.
• Ongoing enhancement to epilepsy EPR continues. Examples of enhancements from last 12 months include:
  • improved EPR generated letter which is communicated via Healthlink to GPs
  • Patient self-management functionality;
  • Conditioning EPR for paediatric services
• National Epilepsy EPR one of 3 projects receiving “Lighthouse” status from HSE Office of CIO. System to be an exemplar for eHealth Ireland and the national electronic health record project.