About The National Society for Epilepsy
Since its foundation in 1892 the National Society for Epilepsy has been striving for a world without epilepsy. Its classification as a World Health Organisation (WHO) centre of excellence demonstrates the long term commitment that the NSE has to find better ways to diagnose, treat and care for people with epilepsy.
The NSE's epilepsy research programme runs in conjunction and co-operation with the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London. It uses the UK's only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner dedicated to looking at the brain, located at the Chalfont Centre.
The newly opened epilepsy assessment and treatment centre - the Sir William Gowers Centre - is a state of the art facility directly linked to the MRI scanner and offers amongst other services; 24hr video-EEG telemetry equipment to accurately assess people with difficult to control seizures.
A specialist residential and respite care service is offered to 270 adults with intractable epilepsy and learning disabilities at the Chalfont Centre in sixteen individual units, accessing on site medical facilities and a comprehensive programme of day-time activities including a therapeutic workshop scheme.
As well as improving the clinical care of people with epilepsy, the NSE seeks to inform and educate people with epilepsy, health professionals and the general public by providing a confidential telephone helpline, a range of information leaflets and a comprehensive website.
Our history
Founded in 1892 the National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) is based at Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. From the early years the NSE has had close links with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London: neurologists from the hospital were among the Society's founders.
NSE's research programmes into the causes and treatment of epilepsy are undertaken in close collaboration with both the National Hospital and the Institute of Neurology, part of University College London. This tri-partite arrangement allows for clinically relevant research, which is acclaimed throughout the world.
In 1972, following publication of a Department of health report on the care of people with epilepsy, the charity established an NHS Special Assessment Unit at Chalfont. Now, in 2003, the new state-of-the-art Sir William Gowers Centre - a £2.4 million epilepsy assessment and treatment centre - has 26 beds offering fully integrated services including a 3T MRI scanner that is dedicated to studying the causes and treatment of epilepsy.
For many years the charity has had a strong reputation for its information and education services, and also for the high calibre of epilepsy training available for health professionals and the general public.
Residential care has been at the heart of the charity since its foundation. Today, the society provides care for around 240 people with complex epilepsy, many of whom have additional learning and physical disabilities.
Furthermore, the NSE is playing a significant role in shaping the services of the future, both through continuing development of its own clinical and care services and through political lobbying in partnership with other epilepsy organisations under the aegis of the Joint Epilepsy Council.