ILAE UK Chapter GP Society for Epilepsy

History
Since 2006, the UK Chapter of the ILAE formed a new society for GPs. This was created to formalise the work of an increasing number of British general practitioners involved in offering epilepsy care. This has proved to be a timely development to support GPs look after people with epilepsy as GP Commissioning and a drive to increase the provision of community based care has in many areas seen the development of epilepsy care being made available even closer to home for people with epilepsy.

A competency framework for GPwSI and indeed Pharmacists with a Special Interest in Epilepsy [PHwSI] was produced following input from this group, the UK Chapter ILAE Council and the RCGP. It was approved by the Dept of Health and from 1 April 2009, general practitioners with special interests (GPwSI’s) who are actively providing a service must be accredited by their PCT.

The society offers membership to all GPs with an interest in epilepsy care, either in their own practices or employed by PCTs or health boards as GPs with a special interest in epilepsy (GPwSI).

Aims of the GP Society
The purpose of the society is to offer a forum for members to learn from each other and to disseminate good practice. Also it is there to act as a national organisation that can work with other professional bodies and health service strategists to enhance and improve community based epilepsy care. The provision of care for people with epilepsy in the community is one of the main focuses of the group and we look to explore together new ways to operate such a service effectively.

Activities
An educational meeting is help once a year and an open session at the national ILAE UK Chapter Annual Scientific conference. We also have an email distribution list for matters of interest. Anyone who would like to find out more or indeed would wish to join should email Juliet Solomon at the ILAE UK Chapter secretariat.

The society would like to thank the ILAE UK Chapter council and Juliet Solomon for all her invaluable and hard work on behalf of the society.