Epilepsy awareness week

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has pledged his support for the 54,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland.

Speaking during National Epilepsy Week (19-25 May), Mr Walker said: “Epilepsy is still the most common, serious neurological condition in the world but it impacts each person’s life in a unique and individual way.

“Epilepsy affects men, women and children of all ages from every ethnic group and social status.

“The outlook is brighter for the half whose seizures are well managed with medication.  The picture is less rosy for almost a fifth whose epilepsy care could be further improved. The remainder face a difficult time, as do their families and carers, due to uncontrolled seizures.

“Epilepsy Scotland believes that seven in 10 people could become seizure free with the right treatment, which would save the NHS money and improve the quality of life for thousands of families up and down the country.

“I want to help tackle this issue and am glad to be one of the many supporters in Scotland trying to raise greater public awareness and understanding of epilepsy.”

Bill Walker MSP with Katherine Harvey of Epilepsy Connections, one of the new Epilepsy Consortium Scotland members