The Epilepsy & Seizure service at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) encompasses both consultant and nurse led clinics to assess, diagnose and manage patients with first fits, epilepsy and seizure disorders.
All consultant neurologists in STSFT assess patients presenting with first fits in specialist rapid access clinics to ensure timely investigation, advice and management; whilst the epilepsy team, comprising an epilepsy specialist nurse and a consultant neurologist work closely together to manage patients with epilepsy in their specialist clinics.
The epilepsy team have established working relationships with colleagues in other specialties including: neurophysiology, radiology, paediatrics, the emergency department (ED), obstetrics, acute medicine, community brain injury services, and the community learning disability team. In addition, there are also close working links with the regional epilepsy service in Newcastle, where specialist diagnostic investigations, and surgical management strategies such as vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) or resective surgery, can be accessed.
Consultant Neurologists:
Dr Steele runs twice weekly epilepsy clinics, and a quarterly paediatric epilepsy transition clinic with paediatric colleagues.
Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Service:
Sister Beverley Scott is the epilepsy specialist nurse (ESN). Patients will need to have been reviewed by a neurologist (consultant or registrar) before being referred to the Epilepsy Specialist Nurse. Sr Scott provides regular review clinics, as well as an answerphone service which provides a means of addressing any routine concerns or queries arising between scheduled clinic appointments. Calls are normally returned between Monday and Thursday.
Sr Scott can order investigations and prescribe medication for seizure management; provide advice and support with regards the diagnosis of epilepsy; and train family/friends to provide emergency rescue medication for prolonged seizures.
What support you will receive at Sunderland:
Ward F61: 0191 5656256 ext 49761
We are located on Ward F61 in Sunderland Royal Hospital, F floor.
Directorate Manager - Lisa Ball Clinical Director - Nikhill Majmudar (secretary, Lindsay Watts) Ward F61 Manager - Fiona Glen Epilepsy Nurse Specialist - Beverley Scott Matrons - Carole Gibson, June Lawson & Su Lindsay
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. For people with epilepsy, family and friends & health professionals - whole range of advice support and information regarding all aspects of epilepsy treatment and care.
https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/
Helpline 0149 460 1400. Offers epilepsy information and advice in several languages via downloadable aps – Polish, Hindi, Spanish + links via youtube for information in Bengali, Turkish, Cantonese, Hindi, Somali & Urdu.
https://www.epilepsy.com/