I hosted a reception at Holyrood to celebrate the launch of ‘Blueprint for Success’, a unique three year collaboration between Epilepsy Scotland, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, UCB Pharma and GSK.
This collaboration means epilepsy patients benefit from better equipped GPs, practice and learning disability nurses who have received epilepsy training and materials. The innovative project report, including the new Epilepsy Specialist Nurse (ESN), was shared with MSPs.
Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn MSP said:
“This project represents precisely the type of beneficial cross-sector cooperation that the SNP Government seeks to promote, with public, private and third sector bodies working together to make a positive difference to patients’ lives. I will be very interested to see how this project will grow, develop and potentially inspire other initiatives in the future.”
Epilepsy Scotland Chief Executive Lesslie Young explained:
“Over a thousand people now have a better quality of care and direct access to local epilepsy services which the NHS board outsourced before. Services for people with epilepsy were virtually non-existent six years ago. We were invited by NHS Dumfries and Galloway to help finance an ESN post. Instead, we afforded that help through creating a novel business model where our own ESN was seconded to audit patient care and train and equip health professionals using this truly original partnership of public, private and third sector organisations.”
Added Kenneth Gibson MSP:
“Epilepsy Scotland developed this creative business model from scratch. It has proved to be an effective model which brings unlimited benefits because it will work regardless of geography or health condition.
“I hope others will accept and replicate the project model. Epilepsy affects more people in Scotland, 55,000 than type-one diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and HIV combined. Other health boards can enjoy the great success of this initiative and there is scope for the collaborative model to be replicated outside of healthcare settings. We believe it offers a blueprint for success in developing epilepsy care in Scotland.”
Epilepsy Scotland’s freephone Helpline 0808 800 2200 offers support and information. People can email enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk text 07786 209501, find them on facebook, use twitter @epilepsy_scot or visit: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk .
