An innovative model of care aimed at people with epilepsy has been found to have a very positive impact on health while also being cost effective.

Epilepsy is characterised by recurring seizures caused by excess electrical activity in the brain. Around 37,000 Irish people have the condition.

Over the last 10 years, 16 epilepsy nurse specialists have been recruited by the HSE's National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy (NCPE). These healthcare professionals provide a range of services to patients, including rapid access clinics, telephone advisory services and outreach services.

A study by researchers in Trinty College Dublin (TCD) looked at the model of care provided by these nurse specialists and found that patients were more satisfied with their care and there was improved coordination and continuity of care.

There also tended to be more prompt identification of problems and a reduced attendance at Emergency Departments (EDs).

Furthermore, patients treated by these nurse specialists had the same costs as those who did not have access to such specialists, however, they exprerienced better outcomes in the management and treatment of their condition.

The TCD research also found that people with epilepsy who had access to this type of care enjoyed improved psychological wellbeing and felt more involved with their care. They also tended to be more prepared for any tests they had to undergo, they had a better knowledge of epilepsy and they felt more confident about managing the condition.

The research was contained in the SENsE Report, which was funded by Epilepsy Ireland and the Health Research Board. According to its lead author, Prof Agnes Higgins, it is ‘testimony to the value of nurse specialists within the healthcare environment'.

"The findings provide clear evidence of the positive impact epilepsy nurse specialists have on the health and wellbeing of people with epilepsy and their family members. Not only did they improve people's knowledge and confidence to self-manage, but they enhanced availability, accessibility, co-ordination and continuity of care," she commented.

In fact, those who were surveyed and interviewed as part of the research highlighted the importance of the practical and emotional support they received from the nurse specialists.

"In particular, they spoke about the reassurance it gave them in dealing with their epilepsy, knowing that the nurse specialist was only a phone call away. They were also very positive about the manner in which the nurse helped reduce their attendance at ED, reduced waiting times for services and ensured that they did not fall through the ‘cracks' of a busy and stretched service," Prof Higgins noted.

Meanwhile, according to consultant neurologist at St James's Hospital, Dr Colin Doherty, this report emphasises the important role nurse specialists can provide when it comes to the management of chronic disease.

"During this time when the whole medical model of emergency care is under constant pressure, nurse specialists provide the best hope for both urgent and emergent care in patients who have exacerbations of chronic disease.

"The usual medical model of emergency department care is problematic for these patients who are complex and have specialist needs. The development of admission avoidance using specialist nurses available in urgent care ambulatory departments across the spectrum of chronic diseases is a potential solution to alleviate pressure on EDs. We have the data that proves it works, why not give it a try?" he said.

Also commenting on the report, Epilepsy Ireland CEO, Peter Murphy, said that it highlights the innovative work that is ongoing in the field of eplilepsy.

"The research has shown that the epilepsy nurse specialist model is highly beneficial, yet cost neutral. We would therefore call on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to implement the key recommendations of the study and in particular to ensure that this service is expanded nationally and with a focus on groups with specific needs, such as women with epilepsy, adolescents, and people with an intellectual disability," he said.

For more information on Epilepsy Ireland, click here