
Dementia currently affects 1 in 14 people in the UK. Many people will either know someone with dementia, have had to support and care for someone with dementia or have been diagnosed themselves.
Looking back, I see that I have written articles about Sodium Valproate in 2017, 2018 and 2019. To be writing another article today carries mixed emotions: on the one hand satisfaction that this report recognises the errors that have been made and the enormous impact on women and families; but on the other hand it is upsetting to read that some people are still inappropriately prescribed sodium valproate, despite everything that is known about it and the risk of causing avoidable harm.
The ‘First Do No Harm report addresses three medical interventions: sodium valproate, Primodos (a hormone pregnancy test) and pelvic mesh. My colleague, Rankeshwar Batta, has written an article about the report.
The report gathered people’s experiences of sodium valproate and made major recommendations for change to reduce the risk of harm in the future and support to those who have already suffered harm.
In respect of sodium valproate, the report states “We believe that it has taken far too long for serious action to be taken to reduce the number of women who take sodium valproate during pregnancy while unaware of the risk. Women were not given the information they needed to make an informed choice, and despite the efforts of the valproate toolkit and the PPP, too many women still do not have this information.”
Two of the recommendations in respect of sodium valproate are:
On top of the historic and ongoing problems with sodium valproate, the report also identified inadequacies in regulating and monitoring new anti-epileptic drugs. Leading experts and patients raised concerns that the long-term outcomes of the newer generation drugs are unknown. The report recommended a registry for all women on anti-epileptic drugs who become pregnant.
In my work I have spoken with people who were prescribed and still are prescribed sodium valproate. I have heard about the effects it has had on them, their children and even concerns that it might have harmed their grandchildren. As a team we have a wealth of experience working with families of children who have suffered harm resulting in disability from birth. Having seen this from personal experience, I fully support the recommendations in the First Do No Harm report and hope it will improve patient care for other women on anti-epileptic medication in the future.
If you have any questions relating to this e-briefing or epilepsy care, please contact Ann Houghton who will be happy to speak to you on an initial free, no obligation basis.
Epilepsy Society offers a confidential helpline which provides information and emotional support for anyone affected by epilepsy:
01494 601 400 and helpline@epilepsysociety.org.uk
Dementia currently affects 1 in 14 people in the UK. Many people will either know someone with dementia, have had to support and care for someone with dementia or have been diagnosed themselves.
The 2022 Code replaces the NHF Code of Conduct 2012 (the 2012 Code) and sets out the baseline standards that the NHF expects of its member registered providers (RPs).
The High Court has dismissed a challenge by the Police Superintendents’ Association to the closure of legacy public sector pension schemes.
In my recent blog, I said that we would be issuing a series of ebriefings and blogs highlighting issues with the Procurement Bill. This is the first of these.
Contractors and delivery partners are facing a ‘perfect storm’ in many cases with a number of factors directly impacting upon the profitability of their work.
Worker status, like Piers Morgan, is one of those things that we think has gone away and then it pops up again!
We are seeing a steady trickle of decisions focused around the issue of flexible working requests or employer requirements for changes to working patterns (both pre and post the pandemic).
For those of us who have endured a choppy cross channel journey, the mention of P&O Ferries will invoke some nauseous memories.
Successive generations have witnessed seismic shifts in the workplace; post-war it was the return of the soldiers and the impact on working women who had to work in their place.
In this podcast, Puja Desai interviews Kimberley Foster and discusses her experience with counselling. This is a really helpful podcast for anyone who has thought about counselling.