Based at Poole Hospital, the children and young people's epilepsy service is a hospital based service with community support delivered by the epilepsy specialist nurse. We work with children up to the age of 16 if they attend main stream schools and young people with special needs up to the age of 19.

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological condition and can happen at any age. In the UK there are an estimated 60,000 children and young people under the age of 18 years that have epilepsy.Many children and young people will grow out of their epilepsy.

Our clinics

We have a number of different clinics that are run by our expert team. Here is some more information about them:

New patient clinic

In these clinics the children and young people with suspected epilepsy are seen for initial assessment. If your child has an  appointment in one of these clinics, the epilepsy doctor will ask a lot of questions about the episodes your child had. It is helpful to obtain the witness account, keep a dairy of the of events and try making a video of the episodes on your phone if possible.

Follow-up epilepsy clinics

Patients are seen regularly to monitor epilepsy medication, seizures, treatments and wider issues about epilepsy in day to day life.

Telephone clinics

Telephone clinics are quick follow-up clinics for patients to discuss:

• Investigation results
• Medication review and changes
• Troubleshoot questions/queries
• Ongoing support

Joint neurology clinics

These clinics are with a consultant paediatric neurologist from Southampton Hospital for children and young people with complex epilepsy

Young persons clinics

This clinic is for young people with epilepsy transitioning to adult services

Epilepsy annual review clinic

The clinic is for children and young people to review and update on the following:

• Epilepsy management
• Care plans
• Any other issues

Nurse-led clinics

These clinics are run by paediatric epilepsy specialist nurse to provide:

• Education and training
• Health and safety advice
• Establish care plans to include emergency protocol

Psychology and counselling services

This service is available to help and support children and families with epilepsy.

Our services

We provide a wide range of diagnostic neurophysiology services including:

Electroencephalogram also known as an EEG

This is when small sensors are attached to the scalp to pick up the electrical signals produced when brain cells send messages to each other.

EEG can be a standard recording lasting half an hour or more prolonged up to 72 hours requiring the child/young person to go home with the EEG sensors on and a small rucksack with the recording equipment. Some children/young people might require sedation and some may need to be sleep deprived.

In-patient video telemetry

Video telemetry involves up to five days inpatient stay.You will be admitted to a room of your own with ensuite facilities in most cases.

You will have EEG sensors attached to your scalp to pick up the electrical signals produced when brain cells send messages to each other. The room will contain a video camera to record your activity throughout your stay.

We will be offering home telemetry in the future.

Neuroimaging facilities 

Including MRI - 3T scanner - a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. 

For younger children this can be done under sedation or general anaethestic if necessary.

Who are we?

The team in the Children and Young Person's Epilepsy Service includes are experienced health professionals:

• Dr M Hussain - consultant paediatrician and lead clinician with a specialist interest in epilepsy.
• Dr D Howard - consultant community paediatrician
• Jane Dunmore - children's epilepsy specialist nurse

Referrals

We welcome referrals from all health care services and health professionals including your GP, the emergency department, following acute hospital admission or other general and community consultants. If you have any concerns about your child, contact your GP who can refer you to a specialist.

Further information

For further information and support please use the links below:

Epilepsy Action www.epilepsy.org.uk

Epiliepsy Society www.epilepsysociety.org.uk

Medicines for Children www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk

If you have any concerns about your child, contact your GP who can refer you to a specialist.