First fit clinic referral

The following is a summary of our discussions today together with advice for you to follow once you return home.

You have attended the Emergency Department (ED) with symptoms resembling a seizure, often referred to as a fit.  This normally involves loss of consciousness for less than or equal to 5 minutes with or without jerking type movements.

Post seizure/fit symptoms may include:

·        Unable to recall events for longer than 5 minutes.

·        Tongue biting.

·        Incontinence of urine.

·        Confusion.

·        Headache.

·        Fatigue (before or after sleep).

·        Weakness to one side of the body (Todd’s paresis).

When there is a clinical suspicion of a seizure without definite evidence, an outpatient First Fit Clinic appointment is made for you to see a Neurologist (medical specialist in the nervous system and disorders affecting it).

The clinic will contact you with a time and date for this appointment via phone or letter.

You will require appropriate specialist assessment and or investigations, for example an Electroencephalograph (EEG) and brain scan, if necessary to decide if you have had a seizure.

It is advisable to attend your First Fit Clinic appointment accompanied by someone who witnessed the seizure or fit.

 

Advice about driving before attending the First Fit Clinic

For safety reasons, the DLVA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has strict guidelines and state that you must not drive.  For further information, visit:          www.gov.uk/epilepsy-and-driving.

You must:

·          Avoid potentially dangerous work/ leisure activities such as :

Ø   Swimming.

Ø   Climbing ladders.

Ø   Contact sports such as rugby, cricket, football etc.

·          Leave the bathroom/ WC door unlocked and bath/shower with supervision.

·          Avoid consuming alcohol.

You must NOT:

·          Operate dangerous machinery.

·          Cycle on busy roads.

If the above symptoms return then you should re-attend the Emergency Department.

 

First Fit Clinic contact details

01782 679459

Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00pm

Saturday/Sunday 8.00am to 3.30pm

 

Please speak to a member of staff if you need this leaflet in large print, braille, audio or another language