Edinburgh man suffering from epilepsy joins call for more specialist nurses in Scotland
| Author | Sophie Buchan |
| Published date | 24 June 2022 |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
It comes as a new report highlighted just how crucial epilepsy specialist nurses (ESN) are with charities asking for more to be done to deliver support across the country.
Epilepsy Consortium Scotland (ECS), the Scottish national umbrella body, has warned of significant workloads facing specialist nurses with the new report exploring the experiences of patients and nurses. Many of these people suffering with epilepsy describe the support as their "lifeline" adding they have had a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.
Despite their vital role, nurses are said to be feeling that their current workloads are "potentially unmanageable" feeling as though they don't have "control of their work". And now according to Epilepsy Consortium Scotland, participants described large caseloads of up to 3,500 patients for one or two nurses highlighting a five-month waiting list for clinics.
The report also warns that people living in rural areas may face additional barriers and because of this, the ECS are now calling for an increase of ESNs across Scotland to ensure everyone, no matter their postcode, can access this vital support in a timely manner.
Dave McTernan from Edinburgh was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1984 at the age of 17 and at the time didn't know much about the condition. Now 55, he has opened up about what this means for him and his day-to-day life.
Admitting the diagnosis was a huge shock he explained: "After various admin jobs, I ended up in hospitality and worked my way up to bar manager. During these years seizures would still appear, although mostly nocturnal.
I had learned about my main triggers which are alcohol, stress, and tiredness, and adapted my life to manage these. I eventually left hospitality and pursued my new dream career as a support worker. I worked with adults that had various needs and loved my career.
"I made it to senior support worker until approximately ten years ago my seizures increased in quantity, and I began to have them most days. I eventually had to stop working altogether and it seemed that epilepsy yet again had changed my life.
"My epilepsy has proven to be med resistant - and every day is a lottery. I get no warning when a seizure is coming, and this causes a huge amount of anxiety. I don't often go out alone and when I go it's very local to home; I can't use a bath for fear of drowning; and can no longer cook on a...
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