NAI is very concerned at recent press coverage, highlighting the fact that epilepsy monitoring units in Beaumont Hospital and Cork University Hospital remain closed due to the HSE moratorium on staffing.

The two units were redeveloped in 2012, as part of investment in the National Epilepsy Clinical Programme.

The units remain unopened due to the HSE moratorium which prevents the recruitment of nursing and EEG staff to provide a round the clock inpatient service.

The NAI understands that there are now no epilepsy monitoring beds available in the country. Waiting lists for the epilepsy surgery programme now stand at 200 -250 people, with no date available for resolving this crisis.

The NAI will work together with Brainwave The Irish Epilepsy Association to highlight this situation, including at our upcoming presentation to political representatives in Leinster House on 27th February.