Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability Specialist Service
We provide assessment and treatment for adults with complex epilepsy and intellectual disabilities across Nottinghamshire. We take a holistic approach to patients' neurological problems, diagnosing and treating epilepsy and associated health conditions. Our focus is on better seizure control and improved quality of life.
Our learning disability qualified epilepsy specialist nurses provide clinical services into the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), City Hospital and Highbury Hospital in Nottingham, and King's Mill Hospital in Mansfield and Newark Hospital.
- Epilepsy Specialist Service for Adults with Learning Disability
- Information about epilepsy
- What to do when someone has a seizure
- SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy)
Information for people taking Valproate
Information for women and girls taking medicine containing valproate:
- Female patient guide - What you need to know about valproate [pdf] 494KB
- Valporate Information Booklet - Easy Read Version
- Female patients starting Valproate - Risk Acknowledgement Form [pdf] 104KB
- Valporate Risk Acknowledgement Form - Easy Read Version
Information for men and boys taking medicine containing valproate:
- Male patient guide - What you need to know about valproate [pdf] 222KB
- Male patients starting Valproate - Risk Acknowledgement Form [pdf] 77KB
Our team and who we help
Our team
Sarah Pashley, Consultant Nurse in Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability
Lisa Flinton, Consultant Nurse in Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability
Claire Hudson, Senior Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability Specialist Nurse
Andrea Baldry, Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability Specialist Nurse
We work with four consultant neurologists/epileptologists and adult epilepsy nurses employed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Who we help
We mainly provide services to:
- Adults in whom diagnosis and treatment can be challenging, and special expertise is needed to diagnose and manage their condition. This includes people with complex behavioural, sleep, movement, communication, and psychiatric disorders
- Adults with poorly controlled epilepsy
- Patients who have difficulty accessing mainstream health services and clinical investigations
- People who have epilepsy in association with a genetic diagnoses, for example Rett Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, and people with Down's syndrome and dementia
- Teenagers in transition to adult services, to make the transition smooth for those with complex epilepsies, and teenagers with profound and multiple needs
- Healthcare professionals and community care providers who need specialist advice, education and training.
Our service also acts as a resource for the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and pathways.
What the service offers
We provide:
- Specialist epilepsy assessment, diagnosis and treatment
- Access to investigations (MRI, EEG, Neuropsychology)
- Inpatient video/EEG telemetry
- Epilepsy surgery assessment
- A vagal nerve stimulator service
- Information to help patients stay safe
- Transitional care from Paediatric Services
- Information and resources to increase understanding and concordance with treatment
- Liaison and signposting to other specialist intellectural disability services
- Advice about emergency / rescue treatment
- A telephone advice line
- Education and training
- Multi-disciplinary clinics
Epilepsy clinics
The Team provides regular clinics at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham City, King's Mill, Newark and Highbury Hospitals. Some clinics are jointly run with other specialists to meet individual’s specific health needs, such as:
- Teenage transition clinics in local special schools and hospital based clinics with paediatric services
- Neurology and intellectural disability psychiatry clinics
- Community based clinics and home visits to those with complex behavioural or palliative care needs
Find out more about the service we provide at the Queen's Medical Centre.
How to make a referral
Referral process
We accept referrals from primary and secondary healthcare professionals, and community based health and social care professionals. Self referrals are not accepted. GPs can refer using SystMOne F12 button Neurology. Choose the Epilepsy and Intellectual Disabilities option. Referrals should otherwise be made in writing to:
Sarah Pashley, Epilepsy Intellectual Disability Consultant Nurse,
Fern House, Highbury Hospital, Bulwell,
Nottingham
NG6 9DR
Telephone: 0115 854 2248 (Team Secretary)
or
Sarah Pashley, Care of Dr O’Donoghue’s secretary
Department of Neurology
D Floor, West Block
Queen’s Medical Centre
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
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