Action is needed to help epilepsy sufferers in Northern Devon, according to Torridge District Council's lead member on Health, Adam Symons.

Councillor Symons met with North Devon’s Epilepsy Action Group, and pledged he would do all that he can to raise awareness of the issues.

Currently, epilepsy sufferers from our area have to travel either to Plymouth or Bristol to see a specialist epilepsy nurse, also known as a ‘Sapphire Nurse’.

Councillor Symons said: “It is quite wrong that often vulnerable people with difficult conditions have to travel great distances just in order to get their prescriptions changed. Four hours travelling, for a twenty minute appointment is a waste of time, and bad for the environment. The group told me that some sufferers of the condition who struggle to travel end up using local acute NHS services, costing the NHS more money than if there was a local ‘Sapphire Nurse’.”

Around 700 people in North Devon suffer from the condition and Epilepsy Action has been campaigning vigorously for the introduction of a Sapphire Nurse to provide dedicated care and advice in North Devon.

The Epilepsy Helpline number is UK freephone 0808 800 5050

National Doodle Day - coming up on March 5th - is all about putting pen to paper while raising money to help people affected by epilepsy and neurofibromatosis. See www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk for more information.