PREMATURE EPILEPSY DEATHS

Early day motion 1304, tabled 14 May 2002 by Liam Fox (Conservative). Signed by 113 members.

That this House recognises the important work being undertaken by the charity Epilepsy Bereaved, leading for the Joint Epilepsy Council, the International League against Epilepsy and the relevant Royal colleges in conducting the National Sentinel Audit of Sudden Death in Epilepsy; notes with concern that people with epilepsy have a risk of premature death that it 2 to 3 times higher than the general population, that every year in the United Kingdom about 1000 people die because of epilepsy, and that most of these deaths are associated with seizures; is aware that up to 70 per cent. of people with epilepsy in the UK have the potential to be seizure-free and that five government reports since 1953 have highlighted serious deficiencies in service provision for epilepsy; and calls on the Government to take the necessary action to improve epilepsy management for sufferers in Britain.

Signatures by party: Conservative 59, Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 6, UUP 3, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.