Patients welcome virtual appointments for epilepsy education

As a result of changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with epilepsy now have more choice when it comes to health appointments with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT).

Before, all appointments were at a clinic or in a patient’s home and were face-to-face. Now, patients are given the option of a phone call or an online appointment, with face-to-face appointments only when absolutely necessary. The feedback has been positive.

As well as assessments and reviews, education packages are also being delivered virtually, meaning the whole family can attend. The package includes what to do if a patient has a seizure and how to do rescue medicine.

Helen Hordle, a specialist epilepsy nurse who works in west Kent, said: “With our education package, patients have said it is great the whole family can take part, linking up with us from their home.

“We had a virtual meeting of our patient focus group and the changes we have made were welcomed. At first, some of our elderly patients struggled with the technology, but we’ve been able to talk them through it.”

The team stopped face-to-face appointments in March 2020, with the first lockdown and started offering virtual and phone appointments in April. Helen said: “No patient has gone without an appointment. Between lockdowns, we were able to see some patients in their own homes, in cases where virtual appointments were not possible or appropriate.

“Going forward I think we will offer a mixture, of face-to-face and virtual, but definitely more virtual as patients like it. It’s also good for us. With the time saved not having to travel, we can have more contact with patients.”

Patient Jane Flint (pictured, with her husband Roger) is among those who have welcomed the new ways of working.

As any member of her family might need to help if she has a seizure, it was useful for Jane to be able to attend her online appointment with her husband, daughter, son and his girlfriend – from the comfort of their home.

Jane, 51, from Hildenborough, said: “Helen demonstrated to my family what they should do if I have a seizure and how to give medication. Doing it this way gave me some independence back, as I was able to make all of the arrangements for myself and having the whole family there was brilliant.”