Neurology

Epilepsy and seizure disorders

A seizure is a sudden interruption in normal experience or function.  When it is caused by abnormal brain wave activity, it is termed epileptic.  Epilepsy is a tendency to have seizures.  It can arise at any age, with or without a visible brain cause.

The service was founded by Dr Michael O'Donoghue in 2000. As well as two epilepsy clinics per week, he runs regular teenage transition clinics, a clinic in special schools and supervises Epilepsy Specialist Nurse input into obstetric clinics. 

Dr Sumeet Singhal runs weekly epilepsy  and first seizure clinics, and a monthly outpatient diagnostic service for non-epileptic attack disorder.  He advises on seizure control in Neuro-oncology patients via the Glioma clinic at City Hospital.

Dr Antal Szabo is based 4 days a week in Kingsmill Hospital, but runs an alternate weekly first seizure clinic at QMC.

The Epilepsy Specialist Nurse team consists of Angela Jones who joined in 2009 and Kenny Hassan who joined in 2010. They give telephone advice to patients, ward advice to doctors, take part in Outpatient Clinics, and act as liaison for patients coming through the ED, Paediatric and Obstetric departments.  They can be contacted via switchboard on extension 61030 (answerphone).

Sarah Pashley is a Nurse Consultant in Epilepsy and Learning Disability based at Highbury, who conducts a clinic list at QMC for patients with Epilepsy and Learning Disability, Pregnant Women with Epilepsy and oversees Learning Disabled patients with Vagal Nerve Stimulators. Lisa Flinton joined the service in 2010 as a Nurse Specialist in Epilepsy and Learning Disability and is also based at Highbury, but does a weekly clinic at QMC campus.

Consultants

Dr Michael O'Donoghue
Dr Sumeet Singhal
Dr Antal Szabo