Epilepsy service (children)
Epilepsy simply means you have the susceptibility to have seizures and is only diagnosed after you have had more than one unprovoked seizure episode.
What are epileptic seizures?
Electrical activity is happening in our brain all the time as networks of tiny brain cells send messages to each other. These messages control all our thoughts, movements, senses and body functions. A seizure happens when there is a sudden, intense burst of electrical activity in the brain, which causes the messages between cells to get mixed up. The result is an epileptic seizure (Epilepsy Action).
Where to find us
Depending on your appointment, you may be seen at one of our main hospital sites, at a community hospital, or in a specific community setting. Some specialties and treatment options are based solely at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), such as radiotherapy and some types of surgery.
Eastern services
RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW.
Dr Rachel Howells: Bramble Children’s Unit Template H, Level 1, Wonford Hospital.
Penny Smith, Epilepsy Nurse Specialist: Rm NE51, Neonatal Consultants Suite, Centre for Women’s Health, Wonford Hospital.
Most clinics are held in paediatric outpatients in area J of the RD&E. If your child attends a specialist school, they might be able to be seen in clinic at the school, rather than in the hospital. Please discuss this with your consultant or the epilepsy nurse.
Northern services
North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JB.
- Children's Outpatient Department: Level 2
- Caroline Thorpe Ward: Ladywell Unit, Level 2
- Special Care Unit, Caroline Thorpe Ward, LadywellUnit, Level 2
Community
If your child requires an occupational therapy assessment, speech and language therapy assessment, physiotherapy or community children’s nurse, requests should go through the contacts below:
Children and family health Devon
Email: CFHD.DevonSPA@nhs.net
Telephone: 0330 245 321
The Epilepsy Nurse can visit schools, colleges and nurseries to provide help and support and in certain circumstance conduct home visits.
Contact us
Eastern Services
If you want to get in touch with the department, please contact:
- Dr Rachel Howells Consultant Paediatrician and Lead of the Epilepsy /Neurology service 01392 402668
- Dr Richard Tomlinson Consultant Paediatrician: 01392 403159
- Dr Eleanor Thomas Consultant Paediatrician: 01392 403128
- Dr Helen Brewer Consultant Paediatrician: 01392 403159
- Penny Smith Children and Young people’s Epilepsy Nurse Specialist:
- Telephone: 01392 406547 / 07554113801
- Email: pennysmith3@nhs.net
Northern Services
North Devon District Hospital
Main switchboard on 01271 322577
Services and treatments
There are a range of treatments for epilepsy, including:
Anti-epileptic medications:This is the most common form of treatment. They come in many forms; tablets, liquids or granules, some are taken once daily others are twice a day. The medications reduce the likelihood of you having a seizure. You can discuss medication choices with us in clinic. Find out more here
About 49 per cent of young people will find the first antiepileptic medication effective. Another 21 per cent might require a second medication. Approximately 30 per cent of people with epilepsy will be difficult to treat with medication. For these young people there are other treatment options available.
Ketogenic diet:This is a diet which needs specialist supervision and guidance from our ketogenic dieticians. The ketogenic diet changes the chemical pathways and energy source to the brain. Regular blood monitoring is needed. This diet shouldn’t be started without specialist guidance. You can find out more information by discussing with us in clinic or by looking at:
Epilepsy surgical service and tertiary neurology input: This is a specialist service provided by Bristol Children’s Hospital. Surgery is considered only if medication is not working. If this is a treatment option for you, we will arrange for you to see a paediatric neurologist from Bristol Children’s Hospital in a joint consultation with your Exeter epilepsy specialist doctor and nurse, either by video or face-to-face.
Surgical treatments include:
Vagus nerve stimulation:This is where a device is surgically implanted into the chest wall, a bit like a pace maker. It has two wires that are attached around the vagus nerve. The battery device is programmed to deliver a small electrical current at regular intervals. This current travels up the vagus nerve and into the brain. This device is implanted in Bristol but can be managed locally by our epilepsy nurse. More information and a video can be viewed on this site https://vnstherapy.co.uk/for-children
Resective surgery:in some cases, epilepsy can be caused by an abnormality that can be seen on a MRI scan. It is sometimes possible to have resective surgery to remove the small area of tissue that is causing the seizures. Young people are referred to Bristol for assessment. This can take many months to make sure that this is the right course of treatment.
Psychological support:being diagnosed with a condition such as epilepsy can have an impact on the way you feel about yourself and your future. It can cause you to feel low or have increased anxiety. We can refer your child to a clinical psychologist if they are feeling like this. The psychologist will listen to their concerns and give them coping strategies for managing their feelings.
Meet the team
Consultants
- Dr Helen Brewer Consultant Paediatrician
- Dr Rachel Howells Consultant Paediatrician and Lead of the Epilepsy service
- Dr Richard Tomlinson Consultant Paediatrician
- Dr Eleanor Thomas Consultant Paediatrician
Nurse Specialits
- Penny Smith Children and Young people’s Epilepsy Nurse Specialist
Supporting you
The epilepsy nurse is here to support you and your family. Please contact her on the numbers listed above. Her work hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
If you feel you would like to blog or chat to someone else the charities Epilepsy action, Epilepsy Society and Young Epilepsy all have helpline numbers which you can contact. You can find these on their websites at the addresses above.
More support
If you are feeling down, stressed or anxious about anything, there are a number of websites and apps that can provide information, advice, and support.
Devon SEND Local Offer
What is the SEND Local Offer?
Devon’s SEND Local Offer is the education, health and social care services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.
Useful videos
We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.