SUDEP Action launches Champions4change campaign and SUDEP E-learning course for National Epilepsy Week
This National Epilepsy Week 15 to 21 May, SUDEP Action is launching a Champions4change campaign aimed at spreading best practice in epilepsy risk management. The charity is inviting supporters to become Champions for change by helping the charity promote a free e-learning on SUDEP and Seizure Safety, made available by a partnership between the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The SUDEP and Seizure Safety Course is aimed at supporting GPs with their annual and routine reviews of people with epilepsy.
SUDEP Action Chief Executive Jane Hanna talked about the campaign and E-Learning course saying:
“Bereaved families working with clinicians and researchers have driven our work to tackle epilepsy deaths, first defining the problem, championing research and surveillance, and now the development of safety tools and education to help professionals and families. GPs can help by giving 30 minutes to take this course on SUDEP and Seizure Safety“.
People with epilepsy are 11 times more likely to die early than people without the condition. This course uses e-technology to bring GPs knowledge to support flagging of risk in patients and also gives practical education on the aftermath of unexpected deaths when a practice will be caught up not only with the coronial system but also be the main point of initial contact with the bereaved family.
An editorial in the British Medical Journal last year highlighted that many deaths were in the community and that many were in people who were not being seen but did have known risk factors and a deterioration in their condition before they died.
The course is authored by Professor Smithson who led the development of NICE guidelines following his role for the RCGP in the National Audit of Epilepsy Deaths in 2002 that found 42% of deaths could be avoided. It is co-authored by Jane Hanna OBE, CEO of SUDEP Action who led that report.
Click here for more information on the Champion4change campaign
