Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mention was made of specialist nurses in response to a question posed by Senator Conway-Walsh. I am aware that data has been available on the impact of valproate on foetal development. In terms of where we are now with the existing cohort, it is my understanding that when female patients who have epilepsy talk to their GPs about having a family, they are moved from valproate to levetiracetam or something more suitable to a hospital environment. They get an infusion and come off valproate before starting a family. Is that something that is ad hoc, where the individual GP takes responsibility or is there a programme in place to guide women through this before they become pregnant so they can manage their medication?