The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s (ABUHB) epilepsy open access service in Newport, Wales has closed due to inadequate staffing and sick leave, Epilepsy Action has heard.
It is currently unknown when the open access service will reopen.
Patients, carers and healthcare professionals wishing to use the service are advised to speak with their GP or their usual hospital doctor, Epilepsy Action understands.
The service was initially set up in place of routine follow-up appointments for people with epilepsy in Newport. Patients were encouraged to send any queries to the adult epilepsy specialist nurse, who would assess if an appointment is needed or if advice and treatment could be offered over the phone.
The ABUHB said this was to “enable patients to have a more responsive service during time of need”.
‘Proper plan in place’
Jan Paterson, Wales Manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “It’s really concerning to hear about the closure of the Aneurin Bevan University open access service, and for an indefinite period of time. Accessing the right level of care in this area of Wales can already be a challenge for people with epilepsy. We know there already are massive gaps in specialised staffing levels in the region, but this only risks making the situation worse.
“People with epilepsy wanting to access this service could be needing support with their medication or due to an increase of seizures. This means they would need to speak to someone with specialist knowledge of epilepsy, which they will now struggle to access for an indeterminate length of time.
“And not just this, but this closure will already increase the pressure on other health services in the area, at a time where they’re already overstretched. We need to know there is a proper plan in place to address this, and to make sure patients have the right information to know what their options are.”
‘Urgent action’
Epilepsy Action Cymru has written to Nicola Prygodzicz, chief executive of ABUHB, to ask for “urgent action” as a “matter of priority”, and for more information on the situation. The organisation stressed that this closure is a significant challenge for the 6,000 people in the region relying on the service.
“The lack of communication to patients about this closure could indeed place many at risk, as they may not have the information they need to seek alternative support,” it added.
Epilepsy Action Cymru also raised concerns over added pressure on GPs and the remaining epilepsy services to address the needs of the patients who would usually use the open access service.
The organisation has also written to Members of the Senedd in the area and to the chair of the ABUHB to raise the issue.
Have you been affected by the closure of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board epilepsy open access service? Get in touch and let us know your experiences at campaigns@epilepsy.org.uk