Health Committee Investigates Epilepsy Treatments

Michelle O’Neill MLA, Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, is visiting Great Ormond Street Hospital in London today on behalf of the Health Committee to meet with specialists and examine the level of care and services available for children with intractable epilepsy.

Michelle O’Neill MLA said, “We pride ourselves here on our health provision for children and young people. However, it is a sad fact that there are rare forms of illness, such as intractable epilepsy, that require additional support elsewhere.

“As Deputy Chair of the Health Committee I am keen to see the scope, level of services and the specialised equipment available in Great Ormond Street Hospital that could be made more readily available to our sick children here.

“It is vital that the Committee hears from health professionals on how specialist treatments are administered, the cost, the effectiveness on particular forms of epilepsy and the impact on the patient.”

A second visit to Chicago is planned for later in March to examine other interventions being offered in the Children’s Memorial Hospital.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Great Ormond Street is the only hospital in the United Kingdom to possess a specialist 3T MRI scanner which has proved to be invaluable in helping clinicians to diagnose complex problems in children with epilepsy.

Committee Membership:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP (DUP) (Chairperson); Ms Michelle O’Neill (SF) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Thomas Buchanan (DUP); Dr Kieran Deeny (IHC); Mr Alex Easton (DUP); Mr Tommy Gallagher (SDLP); Mr Sam Gardiner (UUP); Mrs Carmel Hanna (SDLP); Mr John McCallister (UUP); Ms Claire McGill (SF); Ms Sue Ramsey (SF)

Media Enquiries to:
Stephanie Mallon, Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.