The Department of Health Action Plan "Improving Services for People with Epilepsy": a significant advance or only a first step?

The government in England has supported the production of a number of reports on services for people with epilepsy over the last three or four decades but these have not come with any promise to provide resources or to achieve change. In recent years, the voluntary agencies have worked with government in undertaking some very worthwhile initiatives. The publication of the audit on epilepsy-related deaths and the commitment of the Chief Medical Officer have led to the production of an Action Plan entitled "Improving Services for People with Epilepsy". This Plan covers many of the key issues in the management of epilepsy and is seen as an important first step towards actual improvement of services. There is certainly a consensus that improvement is necessary with too many people receiving inadequate diagnosis and management leading, in some cases, to avoidable morbidity and mortality. A critical overview of the Action Plan and a suggested 10-point model Action Plan are presented. Whether the further necessary steps following the Department of Health Action Plan will be taken, remains to be seen. All those responsible for the management and wellbeing of people with epilepsy very much hope that the required measures will be taken to ensure significant long-term improvements in services.