Epilepsy sufferers in England to be offered laser brain therapy

Hundreds of people in England with hard-to-treat epilepsy will be offered laser therapy targeting the brain on the NHS from next year.

 

A tiny laser inside a probe in the skull enables doctors to destroy the brain tissue which causes seizures.

 

NHS England say the treatment is more precise and less risky than standard brain surgery and patients recover more quickly.

 

Charity Epilepsy Action said the new therapy was “an exciting ray of hope”.

 

There are currently around 600,000 people across the UK who suffer with epilepsy.  Most are able to control their seizures with medication, but one in three can’t.   Around 1,000 are suitable for conventional brain surgery each year, but many are put off by the potential risks and the lengthy recovery period.

 

In contrast, the wound from laser treatment is so small that patients are able to be discharged within a day or two, and return to work within a week.

 

Alison Fuller, director of health improvement and influencing at Epilepsy Action, said “This new therapy is an exciting ray of hope for the many people with epilepsy whose lives are being impacted by the harsh reality of uncontrolled seizures.”

 

Ms Fuller added that she hoped it would help “improve outcomes and ultimately their quality of life.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382