Epilepsy Charity Pledges Funds For Vital New Nurse Posts In Wales

Main Category: Epilepsy
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 15 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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National charity Epilepsy Action has committed £150,000 to fund three new epilepsy specialist nurse posts in Wales. The charity announces its plans following today's launch of the Service Development Directive for Epilepsy by the Welsh Assembly Government. The directive, which is the first of its kind in the UK, aims to ensure that action is taken to develop services more effectively across Wales for people living with the condition.

Epilepsy Action's pledge will help to deliver the new directive by funding the nurse posts as part of its well-established Sapphire Nurse Scheme. Three lots of £50,000 will be granted to cover the full first year of costs for these new posts. The charity is now inviting applications from health boards who can commit to employing the nurses for a minimum of three years.

Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive of Epilepsy Action, said: "The new directive is a groundbreaking document. Wales is truly leading the way in developing epilepsy services and Epilepsy Action wants to do everything it can to support it. By funding these nurse posts we hope to help the Welsh Assembly and health commissioners and providers make a real difference to the estimated 25,000 people in Wales living with the condition."

Phil Smith, consultant neurologist at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, said: "Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that can have a big impact on people's lives. It is high-time it got the recognition it deserves and I am delighted that the Welsh Assembly has committed to making such significant improvements to the care and treatment of people with the condition. Epilepsy Action's support of the directive is commendable and will be an important factor in driving service improvement."

Epilepsy Action is the UK's largest member-led epilepsy organisation. Last year alone, the charity directly helped over 686,500 people through a range of services, including its advice and information centre and Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk.

The Sapphire nurse scheme has been running since 1995. There are 87 epilepsy specialist Sapphire nurses across the UK.

Epilepsy is the UK's most common serious neurological condition affecting an estimated 456,000 people. Epilepsy Action is a registered charity. As well as campaigning to improve epilepsy services and raise awareness of the condition, we offer assistance to local people in a number of ways including a national network of branches, accredited volunteers, regular regional conferences, an Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050, and an award-winning website - http://www.epilepsy.org.uk - which features a new online advice and information service.

How Health Boards can apply

- Health commissioners and providers can apply to Epilepsy Action for funding of Sapphire epilepsy specialist nurse posts.

- Funding for a maximum of three posts will be available through this scheme. Funding will cover salary and costs for 12 months up to a maximum of £50,000 for each post.

- Commissioners/providers can apply for funding for between one and three posts.

- All applications must be accompanied by a business plan outlining the anticipated role of the nurse. This should include how they will help deliver improved epilepsy services and the Service Development Directive, and plans for ongoing monitoring the effectiveness of the role.

- All applications must be accompanied by a written commitment from the applicant undertaking to fund the post for a minimum of three years after the end of the grant aided year.

- Applications must be received by 31 December 2009.

- Should boards submit applications for funding for more than three posts then Epilepsy Action will award the grants based on an assessment of the demonstrated need and likely effectiveness of the appointment.

Epilepsy Action