Children’s Epilepsy

The children’s epilepsy team provides care for children, young people and their families from diagnosis through to treatment.

Our team accept referrals from the Children’s Emergency Department, paediatricians and GP’s.

Appointments

You will be sent information about your appointment in the post, please ensure we always have your current address and contact details.

If you have a query regarding your appointment or need to change/cancel your appointment, please call:

Derby telephone - 01332 785654

Burton telephone - 01283 566333 (please ask to speak to patient access centre).

For teenagers and young people

Teenagers usually transition from child to adult healthcare services from the age of 16 years. In our epilepsy service, we start to think about and plan for this transition from around the age of 14 years in order to make this a more gradual process and less daunting for young people and their family. The process of transition gives your child, and anyone involved in their care time to prepare for the change from children’s to adult services.

We offer a teenage clinic which you and your child may be invited to if appropriate. The teenage clinic takes place in the evening between 4pm - 7pm three times per year.  At this clinic the young person will be given the opportunity to speak with their doctor and epilepsy nurse without their parents / carers present if they wish to, they will have the opportunity to meet the adult epilepsy nurse.

Useful links in relation to epilepsy for teenagers and young people:


Support for teenagers and young people


​​​​​​​National support

Training for parents / carers / schools

Visit the Epilepsy Action website (opens in new window) > for free online epilepsy training. Please note this training is for epilepsy awareness only.

If you require training to administer a rescue medication (Buccolam/Rectal Diazepam/ Rectal Paraldehyde) you must attend a face to face session for either Derby City or Derbyshire County which can be booked via the links below:

Derbyshire County Settings and bespoke sessions

Visit Chesterfield Royal website for Derbyshire County bespoke sessions (opens in new window) >


Derby City Settings and Family members

Visit the Epilepsy Action website for free online training for Derby city family members (opens in new window) >

For information regarding training for Derby City settings and family members, please contact our training team:

Telephone: 01332 789 685
Email: dhft.kitetrainingteam@nhs.net

Useful resources and information

What is epilepsy?


First seizure advice


Epilepsy first aid


​​​​​​​Risk and safety


​​​​​​​Monitors and alarms

Access the Epilepsy Action website (opens in new window) > for information about alarms and monitors designed to detect seizures and other types of alarms that are not designed to detect seizures but may still be useful if you have epilepsy.

Investigations and treatment

Investigations

EEG

The EEG is a recording of brain activity and is used to detect and investigate epilepsy.


MRI

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses a large magnet and a computer to produce pictures of your body, to identify structural changes which may be causing seizures.

 

Treatment

The treatments below may not be suitable for everyone. Your doctor or nurse will discuss with you and decide which anti-seizure medication is most helpful and you should follow their advice.

Epilepsy medication

To find out more about epilepsy medication, please access Medicines for Children website (opens in new window) >


Ketogenic diet

The Ketogenic diet should only be followed under the advice of the doctor and hospital dietician.


​​​​​​​Vagus Nerve Stimulation


​​​​​​​Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service (CESS)

Key conatcts

Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton

Children’s Epilepsy Team,
Royal Derby Hospital,
Uttoxeter New Road,
Derby,
DE22 3NE

Generic email: uhdb.childrensepilepsyteam@nhs.net
Telephone: 01332 785103
Contactable: Monday to Friday | 8am - 5pm