Services
Epilepsy Matters Cymru offers the following range of services.
Bespoke training is also available on enquiry.
Epilepsy Awareness Training
This is up to a 4-hour face to face course that aims to enable care staff to have a basic understanding of epilepsy. It is an interactive course and staff will be expected to participate to enhance learning.
Topics covered
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What is epilepsy and what are seizures?
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How is epilepsy diagnosed?
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What are the causes and triggers?
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What are the different types of seizures and what is status epilepticus?
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How epilepsy can affect the individual
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How to manage epilepsy, reduce risk and promote safety
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What is Sudden Unexpected Death and Epilepsy (SUDEP)
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First aid management
Cost - £20 per person for up to 10 attendees plus mileage @45p per mile from the trainers home, to and from the venue.
Rescue Medication Training
This course is only available to those who have ideally attended an Epilepsy Awareness Training Course within 12 months. If attendees have not attended an awareness course then this will be included as part of the training programme. It is a full day, face to face, interactive course and staff will be expected to participate to enhance learning. Those attending will be expected to undertake both a theoretical and practical test. This will assess the attendees practice at the time of the course.
This course will use the principles advocated by the Best Practice Guidelines for Training Professional Carers in the Administration of Buccal Midazolam for the Treatment of prolonged and/or clusters of Epileptic Seizures in the Community.
Cost - £30 per person for up to 8 attendees plus mileage @45p per mile from the trainers home, to and from the venue.
Rescue Medication Refresher Training
It is recommended that this course is undertaken every two years and this course will include an update on general epilepsy awareness as well as the use of rescue medication.
It is a full day interactive course and staff will be expected to participate to enhance learning. Those attending will be expected to undertake both a theoretical and practical assessment. The assessment will assess the attendees practice at the time of the course.
This course will use the principles advocated in the Best Practice Guidelines for Training Professional Carers in the Administration of Buccal Midazolam for the Treatment of prolonged and/or clusters of Epileptic Seizures in the Community.
Cost - £25 per person for up to 8 attendees plus mileage @45p per mile from the trainers home, to and from the venue.
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Train the Trainer
It is advocated that anyone providing training has the core components to be a trainer (ESNA 2023). These include:
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A nursing qualification with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with people with epilepsy and formulating care plans.
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Evidence of a teaching and assessing qualification
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Evidence that they have kept up to date in epilepsy and contribute to local and national epilepsy peer groups
This course is a minimum of a full day or way extend to two days. It is aimed towards qualified nurses who provide epilepsy training. This is an interactive session and will provide attendees with up to date information on epilepsy and enable them to set up their own training courses considering the information shared.
Cost - £30 per person for up to 10 attendees plus mileage @45p per mile from the trainers home, to and from the venue.
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Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS) Training
For patients who have a vagal nerve stimulator inserted, care staff should understand how this device works and how to use the magnet safely and effectively.
This course is is up to 5 hours and is a face to face session which includes Epilepsy Awareness Training. The aim of this course is two fold and aims to enable care staff to have a basic understanding of epilepsy as well an understanding of the VNS device and how to use the magnet safely to reduce the intensity and duration of the seizures .
It is an interactive course and staff will be expected to participate to enhance learning.
Cost - £25 per person for up to 10 attendees plus mileage @45p per mile from the trainers home, to and from the venue.
or
For those who have previously attended the Epilepsy Awareness Training this course is up to 2 hours face to face training.
Cost - £20 per person for up to 10 attendees plus mileage @45p per mile from the trainers home, to and from the venue.
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Personal Consultations for those with Epilepsy and/or Dissociative Seizures or Non Epileptic Attacks
Some individuals may feel they require additional contact with a specialist. This private consultation service is undertaken either by telephone or video link. This service does not replace existing care provided by the NHS but can offer additional support and advice.
This service is available for those with epilepsy and/or dissociative or non epileptic attacks.
When Epilepsy Matters Cymru provides this consultancy service a summary letter will be sent to the individual. If they choose a copy of the summary can be sent to the relevant Consultant and GP, to ensure continuity of care.
Please note that Epilepsy Matters Cymru does not have access to the individuals health records and this service does not provide options for changing medication or facilitating any investigations.
Cost – £40 per hour
Bespoke Training Options
Person Centred Training
Some organisations may prefer to have training centred around an individual. Epilepsy Matters Cymru is able to offer person centred training according to the individual needs and the needs of the care staff. The length of time required for this course will be dependent on individual need.
Cost on enquiry
Combined Training
Epilepsy Matters Cymru are able to offer a combination of the courses listed above, to include the epilepsy awareness training course along with the rescue medication course and/or use of Vagal Nerve Stimulator. The length of time required for this will be dependent on individual need.
Cost on enquiry
Dissociative or Non Epileptic Attack Training
Having a diagnosis of dissociative seizures or non epileptic attacks can be difficult to manage, not only for the person but for those caring for them. This can be even more challenging if the individual has co existing epilepsy as well. Epilepsy Matters Cymru offers training to enable care staff to support the individual appropriately.
Cost on enquiry
Useful Contacts
Epilepsy Action 0808 8005050 www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Epilepsy Wales 08457 413 774 https://epilepsy.wales/
Epilepsy Bereaved 01235 772850 www.sudep.org/
National Society for Epilepsy 01494 601400 www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/
UK & Epilepsy Pregnancy Register www.epilepsyandpregnancy.co.uk/
FND Hope https://fndhope.org/