John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

830. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the development of a national strategy to reduce sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and epilepsy-related deaths here; if her Department has engaged with a group (details supplied) regarding their calls for such a strategy; the measures currently being taken to improve awareness and communication of SUDEP risk among patients and healthcare professionals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54795/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This government is also committed to improving services for people with Epilepsy through the implementation of the HSE Epilepsy Model of Care (2016).

DOH officials engage with the HSE National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy who are responsible for implementation of the Epilepsy Model of Care. We understand that key priorities for the HSE include strengthening and training for the epilepsy nursing workforce, roll out of neurologist and advance nurse practitioner roles in our maternity hubs, addressing the shortage in paediatric neurology and epileptology, reducing the risk of sudden unexplained deaths in epilepsy and implementation of the PREVENT programme for women with epilepsy.

Since the roll out of the Model of Care, the HSE advise that key advances include the development of 6 Epilepsy centres in Beaumont Hospital, St. James Hospital, Mater Hospital, Sligo General Hospital, University Hospital Limerick and Cork University Hospital.

The Epilepsy nursing workforce has also been strengthened with an additional 9 posts since the Model of Care was published. Budget 2025 provided for a further 2 Epilepsy Advance Nurse Practitioners.

The national Epilepsy Electronic Patient Record has rolled out nationally enabling clinicians across Ireland to access complete patient records when and where required.

In respect of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). I can confirm that officials from the Department met with Epilepsy Ireland in August to discuss the SUDEP Incidence Study. Officials welcomed the research and had positive discussion with the group with a view to engaging further.

Regarding your specific question on the measures currently being taken to improve awareness/communication of SUDEP risks, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the you directly, as soon as possible.