North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has emphasised the need for a public campaign in Wales to educate people on what to do if someone has an epileptic seizure.
Yesterday Mr Isherwood hosted an Epilepsy Aware event in the Assembly, celebrating the fact that the charity has been providing services for families and carers for 30 years. At the event he raised concerns that too few people in Wales would know what action to take if they saw someone having an epileptic seizure.
Speaking in this week’s Business Statement, he highlighted the concerns and asked for a Welsh Government Statement on epilepsy.
He said:
“At the event, we heard that, although potentially 70 per cent of people with epilepsy can have their seizures controlled with optimal treatment, advice and support, only 52 per cent currently have such control, with great costs, both human and financial; that over 40 per cent of deaths and 59 per cent of child deaths could be avoided with better management; that there are unequal opportunities in health, education, leisure and employment; that there is inequality of provision across Wales; and that there is a need for a public campaign on what to do if someone has a seizure, educating people on how simple actions can save lives.
“There is, as I know—or there has been in previous Assemblies—a Welsh Government Epilepsy Strategy. But these problems have been highlighted in 2016, and this community deserves a statement from the Welsh Government, accordingly.”
The Leader of the House and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt AM, said: “We have a strong, well-monitored Epilepsy Strategy, which of course the Minister for Health, Well-being and Sport will be updating.”
Mr Isherwood added: “The problems facing people with epilepsy, their families and their carers are happening now, despite the Welsh Government’s Strategy. This Welsh Government must listen.”