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During
the 1990's the context changed. The collaboration of
committed researchers from the US, UK and elsewhere and
bereaved relatives together with interest from the
pharmaceutical industry created fertile ground for new
initiatives. The formation of Epilepsy Bereaved, self-help
group, for relatives provided the impetus for awareness-raising
through conferences, epilepsy organisations and the media
to ensure that the subject of epilepsy deaths was
considered part of the agenda. Serious concerns about SUDEP identified in
the scientific literature over the last 150 years are
tackled in an increasing number of medical texts and
there is an increased awareness amongst health
professionals of the need to consider the implications of
epilepsy related deaths for clinical management and
information to patients. The subject of epilepsy deaths
was debated in the UK Parliament for the first time in
June 1998 following a proposal for a national
confidential enquiry into epilepsy deaths. The future
looks hopeful as we look ahead to the findings of the
first ever government initiated project on epilepsy
deaths - the National Sentinal Clinincal Audit into
Epilepsy Deaths.
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