What's On News March 2020 Partnership with Epilepsy Queensland

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Partnership with Epilepsy Queensland

Thursday 26 March 2020

Mater Centre for Neurosciences has partnered with Epilepsy Queensland to provide a continuum of care for patients by helping them access essential support services in the community.

While at the Mater, epilepsy patients are able to visit Registered Nurse and Epilepsy Queensland Client Services Officer Trish Germain in her clinic following their appointment for assistance with accessing a range of support services.

Trish explains epilepsy is a complex neurological condition, often with far reaching impacts beyond the obvious seizures which include social, emotional, physical and financial impacts on a person’s life.

“Often, people living with epilepsy require a range of support in addition to medical management. Our service is complimentary to the clinical care provided by the hospital and outpatient departments,” Trish said.

“Epilepsy Queensland is a not for profit information, referral and support service providing patients assistance accessing support through Centrelink and the NDIS, advice on employment, workshopping safety concerns, finding support groups and patient advocacy.”

“While attending the Mater to see their doctors and have their regular check-ups, patients can have direct access for face-to-face support. They may also choose to follow up with Epilepsy Queensland if more in depth support is required.”

CEO of Epilepsy Queensland Helen Whitehead said while Trish has been attending the clinic fortnightly since September 2019 the relationship with Mater is a long standing one and the clinic is an extension of this.

“We recently saw a Mater patient unable to work or access disability support and we were able to help them access funding they were entitled to. They were extremely grateful for our help and this is just one positive outcome from our collaborative approach with Mater,” Helen said.

“We appreciate the strong working relationship built between our services of clinical and community. We are aligned in our values of being person focused, with the aim of improving the lives of people living with epilepsy.

“Even before our attendance at the clinic, the Mater was actively referring patients to our service and participating in education programs. We believe our attendance at the clinic has further strengthened this relationship.”

During normal business operations the Epilepsy Queensland Clinic runs from the Mater every second Monday. In response to the evolving COVID-19 situation and in line with current government policies support for patients from Epilepsy Queensland is still available via phone on 07 3435 5000 or 1300 852 853 (outside Brisbane).

Image: Nurse Practitioner Peter Jones, Registered Nurse and Epilepsy Queensland Client Services Officer Trish Germain, Clinical Nurse Jade Vince and Epileptologist Dr Sasha Dionisio, at the clinic in November 2019. Note – Photo taken prior to the introduction of current social distancing measures.