A CHARITY has launched its manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election, urging politicians to do more to support people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy Scotland has also enlisted the help of comedian Janey Godley to raise awareness of the neurological condition, which affects one in 97 people in Scotland – about 55,000 in total.
Godley appears in a video on the charity’s Facebook page urging people to support the annual global Purple Day initiative on March 26. Epilepsy Scotland aims to ensure the voices of those with epilepsy are heard, influencing public policy to make sure the interests of people living with epilepsy and their carers are represented.
Through its manifesto, Epilepsy Scotland is seeking to raise the profile and support for epilepsy in Scotland.
The manifesto consists of six asks – as it is the sixth Holyrood election – of the next Scottish Government and elected MSPs. They are:
- A national epilepsy databas
- An increase in the number of epilepsy specialist nurse
- Invisible condition training for benefits assessors
- Encourage employment in people with neurological conditions
- Support neurophysiology in Scotland
- Funded PhDs in epilepsy
Epilepsy Scotland chief executive Lesslie Young said “To improve the lives of those living in Scotland with epilepsy these six key asks must be met.
“For too long people with epilepsy have been, at best, on the periphery of policy-making, in reality they are overlooked.
“The result is overstretched clinical services and an unnecessary poorer quality of life for those affected by the condition.
“Epilepsy Scotland is, appealing to people to read, talk about and share our asks with election candidates, asking them to support our manifesto which will lead to improved policies for people living with epilepsy and their quality of life, if elected.”
The manifesto in full can be viewed at: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/2021-scottish-parliament-manifesto.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here