(2) what information his Department has on the number of people with epilepsy who have been diagnosed by an epilepsy specialist in (a) the general population and (b) the prison population.
Information on the number of people diagnosed by an epilepsy specialist is not collected centrally.
Information on the level of misdiagnosis for epilepsy is not collected.
In July, I wrote to all strategic health authorities drawing their attention to the report “Epilepsy in England: Time for Change”, which was published by Epilepsy Action earlier this year. In my letter, I also reinforced the importance of implementing the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance and the National Service Framework for Long-term neurological Conditions in delivering high quality, accessible services for those living with epilepsy.
(2) what information his Department has on the number of people with epilepsy who have uncontrolled seizures in (a) the general population and (b) the prison population.
Information on the number of people with epilepsy who have uncontrolled seizures is not collected.
Information on the number of people with epilepsy who have had a medical review in the last 12 months is not collected.
In July, I wrote to all strategic health authorities drawing their attention to the report “Epilepsy in England: Time for Change”, which was published by Epilepsy Action earlier this year. In my letter, I also reinforced the importance of implementing the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance and the National Service Framework for Long-term neurological Conditions in delivering high quality, accessible services for those living with epilepsy.
Following consultation, the Care Quality Commission published in June 2009 their forthcoming programme of special reviews. A review of the care of people in prison with epilepsy is not currently within the agreed list of topics to start in 2009-10.
The Commission has informed us that it is considering what topics should be undertaken as special reviews and studies from 2010-11 and what consultation process would help inform its final decisions. A special review on the health and social care needs of offenders is one of many potential topics under consideration.
(2) how many people in (a) prisons and (b) young offender institutions have epilepsy;
(3) what guidance his Department provides to staff in (a) prisons and (b) young offender institutions on the care of people with epilepsy;
(4) what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which the care of people in prison with epilepsy is in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines of 2004.
There has been no centrally commissioned research or audit on this matter. Local primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for assuring the quality of care provided in primary care settings to their local population, which includes all publicly run prisons.
All clinical staff are regulated and subject to the same standards of practice including those providing care in prisons. The standards of care are found in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance CG20. The standards of care expressed in the New General Medical Services Quality Outcomes Framework will be monitored, as they are in general practice, across the prison estate following the roll out of a general practitioner clinical IT system.
The Department of Health and the Prison Reform Trust have recently published two new information books for prisoners with a disability. Copies have been placed in the Library. The first book is a short, easy-read version for prisoners with learning difficulties, the second book contains more in depth detail for prisoners on their health, daily life, and how to get help in prison and on release this includes information on epilepsy.
Since 2006, PCTs have been responsible for commissioning health services for their offender health population. In commissioning these services, the NICE guidelines for epilepsy provides the benchmark for providers of these services.
The Department does not collect information on the number of people in prisons and young offender institutions that have epilepsy.
Offenders are now all screened on arrival in prison by a trained nurse or trained officer to find out what their health needs are and get them the right treatment. All new offenders entering prison reception either on remand or sentenced, have an initial health assessment undertaken to ensure that any immediate health needs are identified on the first night with a fuller comprehensive health assessment completed within five days of admission into custody.
Information on incorrect prescribing of medication for those with epilepsy is not collected.
In July, I wrote to all strategic health authorities drawing their attention to the report “Epilepsy in England: Time for Change”, which was published by Epilepsy Action earlier this year. In my letter, I also reinforced the importance of implementing the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance and the National Service Framework for Long-term neurological Conditions in delivering high quality, accessible services for those living with epilepsy.