Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the brain. When someone has epilepsy it means they have a tendency to have recurring, unprovoked epileptic seizures.
Anyone can have a one-off seizure, but this doesn’t always mean they have epilepsy. At The Alex, epilepsy is only diagnosed by a doctor who has a special interest and additional skills in epilepsy and its management.
How we help
The epilepsy team look after around 1,000 children. The team includes paediatricians with a special interest in epilepsy, and clinical nurse specialists for children’s epilepsy.
Your child will be offered regular outpatient clinic appointments, as well as have a way to contact the team in between scheduled appointments. We encourage you to contact us if you have any worries between appointments.
All children with epilepsy can use the epilepsy nurse service. The nurses can help with many issues including liaising with your child’s school or nursery for training, contributing towards Educational and Health Care plans and attending annual reviews at schools as required. They can also provide first aid, safety advice for in the home and out and about, driving, careers, contraception, transition and talking about their worries or concerns.
Getting ready for your appointment
Children usually attend an initial appointment where a plan and the need for further investigations will be talked about. To help prepare for this and future appointments it’s useful to bring along a diary of events or seizures, video clips on your phone and all your current epilepsy medication.
Where we are
Clinics are held regularly at The Alex with a few clinics held at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Your appointment letter will let you know where to go for the clinic.
Contact us
The epilepsy service can only provide non-urgent assistance to patients already known to the children’s hospital. This may not be on the same working day and will be answered during normal working hours and in order of priority.
Call NHS 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do
01273 696955
Ext. 62318
How to refer
GPs or paediatricians can refer to the epilepsy service if you have a child with epilepsy or suspected epilepsy.