People with epilepsy could have a nurse devoted entirely to their condition working on the island once the 2027-28 financial year gets under way, according to Claire Christian, the Minister for Health and Social Care.
She gave the timescale in Tynwald when answering David Ashford, Speaker of the House of Keys, Energy FM reported. Mrs Christian estimated the yearly bill for the role at £60,000 to £70,000. She cautioned that it could happen only if funding is signed off and Manx Care succeeds in filling the vacancy.
No such specialist post exists on the island today. The minister explained that care is currently led by a consultant neurologist, while specialist nursing input comes from the Walton Centre for Neurosciences in Liverpool.
Plans for a nurse based locally sit within a wider look at how neurology services are delivered, she said. Mrs Christian added that Manx Care recognises people with the condition would be better served by more support closer to home.
Pressed on the details, she said the nurse would work full-time and be stationed on the island. She also confirmed the job would concentrate wholly on epilepsy, rather than being a general neurology nursing role with an added interest in the condition.
Members also raised the strain on neurology care more generally. According to Energy FM, Kirstie Morphet, a Member of the Legislative Council, told the chamber that 661 adults were on the neurology waiting list, with a median wait of 44 weeks.
Mrs Christian said improving help for those living with epilepsy was a priority both for her department and for Manx Care.
Location: Island-wide. Source: Energy FM.
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