Councillor campaigns for epilepsy nurse
TORRIDGE Councillor Adam Symons is campaigning on behalf of epilepsy sufferers in North Devon after meeting members of the Epilepsy Action Group. Currently, epilepsy patients have to travel either to Plymouth or Bristol to see a specialist epilepsy nurse
TORRIDGE Councillor Adam Symons is campaigning on behalf of epilepsy sufferers in North Devon after meeting members of the Epilepsy Action Group.
Currently, epilepsy patients have to travel either to Plymouth or Bristol to see a specialist epilepsy nurse, also known as a Sapphire Nurse.
Mr Symons, who is also the Prospective Liberal Democrat Candidate for Torridge and West Devon, said: "It is quite wrong that often vulnerable people with difficult conditions have to travel great distances just in order to get their prescriptions changed.
"Four hours travelling, for a 20-minute appointment is a waste of time, and bad for the environment. The group told me that some sufferers of the condition who struggle to travel end up using local acute NHS services, costing the NHS more money than if there was a local Sapphire Nurse."
Around 700 people in North Devon suffer from the condition and Epilepsy Action has been campaigning vigorously for the introduction of a Sapphire Nurse to provide dedicated care and advice.
The Epilepsy Helpline number is UK freephone 0808 800 5050
Most Read
- 1 OPINION: Hi-Tech – Is North Devon ahead or behind the curve?
- 2 Masons donate £20,000 to food banks
- 3 Steve’s family and friends bring Christmas to hospital ward
- 4 Property of the Week: Some of the finest views of North Devon's coast
- 5 Specialist fire crews rescue horse trapped in ditch
- 6 Village halls offered cash helping hand in Covid battle
- 7 Refresh your New Year’s wardrobe by donating unwanted clothes for a good cause
- 8 North Devon Weekend Football Results
- 9 Together we can look forward to 2022
- 10 Covid-19 ventilation advice for North Devon landlords
National Doodle Day - coming up on March 5 - is all about putting pen to paper while raising money to help people affected by epilepsy and neurofibromatosis. Go to www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk for more information.
