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[steeljade]

ESNA EASTERN REGION SPRING MEETING

Date: 12 June 2008
Time: Lunch at 12.00hrs, meeting at 2pm
Venue: The Remada Hotel, Bury St Edmunds

Many thanks to UCB for helping with lunch and sponsoring the speaker today.

Present:
Julia Dawson, Dee Elleray, Marianne Peachey, Sian Raymond, Wendy Smith, Liz Stevens, Sally Tyler

1 Apologies
Sarah Barker, Erica Chisanga, Liz Jones

2 Minutes of last meeting
The corrected minutes were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.
3 Matters arising
3.1 Future Speakers – Sian will ask Alasdair Parker, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist to speak at the September or December meeting.
3.2 Dee strongly requests members to notify her at least 24hrs in advance if they are unable to attend the meeting, otherwise unnecessary costs are incurred for catering. For example; food for 14 was ordered and paid for (£67.50 of this wasted) as only 6 members attended. Five apologies were received on the day. Dee’s mobile number is on the membership list – SO PLEASE CALL OR TEXT.
3.3 Change of venue for meetings to the West Suffolk Hospital. This would considerably reduce the costs by £125-150 each meeting. The room hire is £50 and lunch including a drink is £6. The number for West Suffolk hospital is; tel 01284 713462/3.
3.4 Date of September meeting – many people away as a Paediatric conference coincides with our date. A change of date to 25 September was suggested, Dee has checked and West Suffolk Hospital is available for this date.

4 Transition of Care
Presentation by Erica and Dee was postponed until the September meeting.

5 Dr Eckerhart Stauffenberg – Presentation on Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES)
A fascinating talk and subsequent discussion on this much misunderstood and often mistreated condition. He stressed the importance of taking a good history of events, thorough neurological investigations and exploration of the social situation. Often people have been in a non-nurturing environment, can be emotionally sensitive and have low self-esteem and self-worth. The terminology is important – avoid using ‘attention seeking behaviour’, not helpful. 30-40% have no identifiable course, but patients still need continued support. Useful to video attacks; the onset is the most crucial element. To help them regain control, share the video with them and discuss. Referral to a Specialist in Neuropsychology or Neuropsychiatry best course of action, but resources are limited and not available in all areas of the country.

6 Any other business
Dee has written an article on VNS, to be published in CARE magazine. Dr Stauffenberg hopes to have a VNS clinic in the Community.

Dates of future meetings 2008/09

25 September 2008 – note change of date
11 December 2008
19 March 2009
11 June 2009
10 September 2009
10 December 2009


Any comments or suggestions for the next meeting’s agenda, please call Marianne tel 01473 704046