Wantage MP Ed Vaizey supports local charity’s Stay Smart campaign for National Epilepsy Week

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey has supported SUDEP Action’s Stay Smart campaign for National Epilepsy Week – 17 to 23 May. The campaign aims to raise awareness around a new safety app to support people with epilepsy. EpSMon (Epilepsy Self-Monitor), is designed to help people with epilepsy assess their risks in between visits with doctors. 

Ed Vaizey, who is also president for SUDEP Action said: “The most important factor in preventing Sudden and Unexpected Death in Epilepsy is raising awareness of the risk in the first place.  The EpSMon app is exactly what is needed to help people to understand their levels of risk. Having an app like this is a really accessible and effective way to do just that.” 

SUDEP Action Chief Executive Jane Hanna said: “We know people have to make choices daily and that things can change. People live busy lives and may only see their doctor once a year and some less frequently than that. EpsMon has been designed to help people by prompting them to use their App every three months to keep track of risks from seizures. It will flag up whether help should be sought earlier than planned because risks have worsened”.  

There are about 3742 people with epilepsy in Oxfordshire. In the UK, at least 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day while about 600, 000 live with the condition. Epilepsy claims at least 1,200 lives in the UK every year, around 600 of these are Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Research shows that about 40% of these deaths may be preventable through better management of known risk factors. 

Even though most people with epilepsy live long and healthy lives, risk factors linked to fatality in those at risk are poorly misunderstood in the community. EpSMon contains guidance to help people better understand SUDEP and the factors which may affect their risk. 

The National guidelines encourage people with epilepsy to attend regular reviews with their GP. EpSMon will help people decide whether to seek help earlier than their next planned visit and make them aware of why and when a medical review of their epilepsy is important.

EpSMon was created by a team of partners based at Plymouth University, SUDEP Action, Cornwall Foundation NHS Trust and Royal Cornwall Hospital. 

If you would like to register your interest in EpSMon and receive further information regarding its release, please visit www.epsmon.com

Coming soon to iPhone (June) and Android (Winter 2015, Predicted).