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Epilepsy Clinics

Patient information

The Alfred Epilepsy Unit runs three MBS bulk billing Epilepsy Clinics each week for patients with an established diagnosis of epilepsy. The clinics operate at The Alfred Hospital, Sandringham Hospital and Caulfield Hospital.

What we do

The Epilepsy Clinics assess and manage adults with all types of epilepsy. Our epilepsy clinic provides access to a full range of epilepsy treatments and investigations, including 5-day video-EEG admissions.

We offer assessment for advanced epilepsy treatments including epilepsy surgery, neuromodulation (VNS, DBS), ketogenic diet, LITT (laser interstitial thermal therapy), stereo-EEG and a range of epilepsy clinical trials.

We have a large multi-disciplinary team working within the clinics including neurologists, neuropsychiatrists, neuropsychologists, epilepsy nutrition specialists, epilepsy nurses and neurology pharmacists.

In addition, we have subspecialised clinics within our service, including First Seizure, Functional Seizure, Neuromodulation and Epilepsy Surgery.

Who we care for

We care for all people with epilepsy aged 15 onwards. This includes people with well controlled seizures, medication resistant epilepsy, medication side effects and women considering pregnancy. We accept local, regional and interstate referrals.

What to expect

This clinic operates as a combined telehealth and face-to-face clinic.

You will be seen by a neurologist and undergo a detailed assessment. They will assess your risk of having another seizure and talk to you about extra tests that might be required such as electroencephalogram (EEG) which examines brain wave activity, an MRI which is a specialised brain scan or an admission to hospital to assess your seizures in more detail (video-EEG admission).

The team will also discuss treatment options which generally involve anti-seizure medications and can also include advanced epilepsy treatments.

You will be given information about seizure first aid management, how to manage and minimise any risk. You will also be given aid to help you recognise another seizure and information on what do it if another seizure happens. We will also discuss when you can expect to safely return to driving.

How to access this clinic

Referral from your GP

Please attend your local GP and obtain a referral meeting the criteria below.

Request an "indefinite" referral to A/Professor Andrew Neal and Team Epilepsy clinic, The Alfred.

This referral needs to be received prior to your next appointment or unfortunately we cannot book the follow up.

A current referral is required for all clinic appointments. If not received your appointment may be delayed and you might be transferred to another treating clinic for follow up care.

Please ask your GP to fax your referral to (03) 9076 7864 or email to epilepsy@alfred.org.au.

What to bring

For a clinic appointment

Your referral letter from your GP
Your Medicare card
MRI scans
A list of your medicines or bring all your medicines in a bag, including any herbal or over the counter medicines
Any medical records or reports that you have. This may save us and you considerable time and even reduce the number of visits necessary
You are welcome to bring a support person (a relative, friend or carer) with you
If this is your first visit, it is helpful to bring someone with you who has seen one of your attacks