Administration of emergency antiepileptics in staffed care homes for people with intellectual disabilities in High Wycombe: survey of staff training status

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain the training status of staff in care homes for people with intellectual disabilities managed by the non‐health sector in High Wycombe, with regard to administering emergency antiepileptic medication and to identify training needs.Design/methodology/approachManagement of seizures in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy comes with its challenges. Although there are clear guidelines for the same, implementing them in the community, especially in the non‐health sector setting, raises the issue of training staff in the administration of emergency antiepileptic medication. A survey was undertaken in response to the varying staff training needs. A short semi‐structured questionnaire was designed and administered over the telephone to the managers of these care homes.FindingsLess than half of the care homes had staff trained to administer emergency antiepileptic medication. The commonest reason cited was their policy of admitting only patients with well controlled seizures. This paper identified the need for staff training and raising awareness amongst relevant healthcare professionals.Practical implicationsThe survey highlights the practical difficulties arising in the implementation of national and trust level healthcare policies in the community.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to clinicians working with people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy, GPs, and staff and management in the care homes in the health and non‐health sectors. It raises questions around delineation of responsibility and communication between various professionals in various levels of care involved in managing people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy to ensure provision of safe and effective care for this population.