NHS rolls out new life changing laser surgery for epilepsy

The NHS has announced a new form of laser surgery that will help up to 150 epilepsy patients a year who did not respond well to anti-seizure drugs. The treatment will be deployed by surgeons early next year at two unidentified hospitals and could be life changing for many people.

Out of all the epilepsy patients in England only two thirds find anti-seizure drugs to be an effective treatment. In the past the only option for these patients would be an extremely invasive neurosurgery that removes parts of the brain and can be fatal.

For this reason, many people can’t afford to take the risk of getting surgery. So, the announcement of this new laser surgery will be a relief to thousands of people across the country. Jane Riley, chairwoman of charity Epilepsy Action knows the hope this will give to many in the community.

“Absolutely it gives hope to hundreds if not thousands of people who now have another opportunity, another option, to try to ensure that their epilepsy is brought under control.”

Jane however is not just a chairwoman of a charity, she is the mother of a son with epilepsy. Her son Matthew was diagnosed 17 years ago which had a drastic impact on the family. After trying many medications over the years nothing has stopped his seizures completely, and soon it will be decided whether or not he is fit for neurosurgery.

Jane, from a personal perspective, is afraid to get her hopes up about the new surgery due to it’s exclusive nature.

“It does sound absolutely fantastic what they can do for the right people, I think we’ve got to recognise that it won’t be for everybody and that you do have to fit a number of criteria to enable them to undertake that type of procedure.”

“As much as it’s hopeful and as much as it’s exciting and absolutely if they can undertake the removal of part of the brain without going into an invasive surgical procedure that will be absolutely tremendous.”

Although the surgery will only help people who fit specific requirements it is still a huge development that will help many and hopefully is the start of more new treatments being worked on by the NHS. With epilepsy awareness month coming up it is about time the condition got the focus it deserves.