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The ClinicThe First Seizure Clinic is supervised by Dr Newton M.D. FRACP, an epilepsy specialist working in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Programme at Austin Health. The clinic was established in 1994 as part of a clinical research study headed by Dr Mark King, with Professor Sam Berkovic and Dr. Mark Newton and was the first such clinic in the world. The aim of the Clinic is to receive patients who may have had an epileptic seizure for the first time or for whom a diagnosis of epilepsy is suspected. An urgent referral pathway has been established to avoid the usual delays in assessment and counselling for people in this situation where there is often a significant impact on their psychological and social health. The referrals are made from local practitioners and A&E department doctors from the North East area of Melbourne to our on-call registrars at the Austin Hospital. The registrars then arrange an urgent EEG and an appointment for the Clinic is then made by the patient by telephone. We aim to see people within two weeks of the suspected seizure and at the consultation there are a number of investigations available, which facilitates the diagnosis in most cases. Key Contact PeopleThe Clinic comprises Dr Newton and a team of 4-5 young neurologists who are specialising in epilepsy, a clinical coordinator and Mark Green, a counsellor from the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria. There are also personnel from Austin Health involved in research into new onset epilepsy who attend the clinic. Our current research interests include the genetics of epilepsy and MRI changes in new onset epilepsy, and we are also conducting a longitudinal study into the psycho-social and cognitive impact on people with a diagnosis of epilepsy. This is being conducted by Sarah Velissaris who is supervised by Dr Sarah Wilson and Associate Professor Michael Saling, in conjunction with Glaxo Smith Kline. This study is designed to track any changes in psycho-social or cognitive function that might occur from the time of the seizure to the development of chronic epilepsy. This study is an “international first” and will have important implications for services required by patients in the First Seizure Clinic. The Clinic provides a unique service for patients in our region for an urgent diagnosis of first seizure and new onset epilepsy. It has been the source of significant clinical research that has been published in international journals. Publications
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