Epilepsy
The Metro North Comprehensive Epilepsy Service based at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital offers assessment and treatment for people with new-onset or pre-existing epilepsy.
Our services
Our full range of services include:
- diagnostic testing
- specialised care for complex epilepsy patients
- specialist outpatient clinics including rapid assessment and treatment of patients over 14 and a specialised service for women with epilepsy
- statewide surgical program
- telehealth service.
How to access this service
To access this service, your GP or medical practitioner will need to send a referral letter to the hospital.
If there is a waiting list, you will receive a confirmation letter and be advised on what to do next. If there is no waiting list, you will receive an appointment booking letter or we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for your appointment.
Refer a patient
To refer a patient:
Epilepsy referral guideline
GP and Specialist Hotline:
1300 364 938
Health professionals:
More information
After your hospital appointment
Your doctor may advise that you require surgery. If this is the case you will be placed on a surgical waiting list and may need to attend the Pre-admission Clinic before your surgery.
What to bring
- Your Medicare card
- Private health insurance card (if you have one)
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Current medications (prescription, over the counter and herbal medicine)
- Relevant x-rays, scans or any other test results or reports
- Glasses, hearing and mobility aids
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- WorkCover claim number (if relevant)
- Snacks, a drink or money to buy refreshments
- Something to read or do while you wait
- An adult carer to support you and take you home
- Copy of Advanced Healthcare Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney (if you have one)
- A jacket or cardigan in case you get cold
- A dressing gown or cardigan, sleepwear or comfortable day clothes
- Slippers and shoes (low heel, closed-in, non-slip, adjustable and firm fitting around the foot)
- Your toiletries and personal items
- Copy of Advanced Healthcare Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney if you have one
- Something to read or do during your stay
- Medical devices required for your care (e.g. CPAP machine)
- Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you
Clinics
Contact us
Location: Level 7, Ned Hanlon Building
Phone: (07) 3646 3111
Fax: 07) 3647 62632
Open: Monday-Friday 7.30am-4.30pm
Need help outside hours?
For non-urgent medical issues call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit your GP.
In an emergency call 000.
Refer a patient
To refer a patient to this service, view the Epilepsy referral guideline.
For an existing referral call 1300 364 938.
Health professionals
The Metro North Comprehensive Epilepsy Service provides a multidisciplinary service to people who live in the Metro North Hospital and Health Service catchment area (northern suburbs of Brisbane, Redcliffe and Caboolture). It is also available to people who live in an area where there is no neurology service. We work closely with GPs to provide integration of care between the RBWH, primary care and community services and agencies as well as telehealth services for select patients.
A comprehensive range of diagnostic testing is available including:
- Medical imaging
- Nuclear medicine imaging
- Routine EEG
- Video Telemetry EEG
- Neuropsychological Testing
- Neuropsychiatric Evaluation
We offer assessment and treatment for complex epilepsy patients who:
- require further diagnostic workup to clarify the epilepsy syndrome or diagnosis
- are refractory to medication
- are experiencing significant side effects to medication or require complex pharmacological management
- have complex comorbidities including coexisting medical and psychiatric disorders
- have specific issues related to women with epilepsy
- are transitioning from paediatric services.
Specialised outpatient clinics
Epilepsy Clinic
The clinic offers a thorough assessment and review of management options for people with an existing diagnosis of epilepsy. The service is suitable for patients who require specialist care or who have not achieved full seizure control.
First Seizure Clinic
The clinic provides rapid assessment and treatment for patients over 14 following their first suspected seizure. Medical officers aim to schedule an electroencephalograph (EEG) as soon as possible after the seizure, preferably within 48 hours. A first seizure clinic appointment will routinely be made within two weeks.
Transition Clinic
Transition of young people from paediatric services to adult care can be a challenging time for the young person and their families. This clinic provides expertise in assisting the young person and their support network to navigate common challenges that are known to arise during this time.
Women and Epilepsy Clinic
The clinic provides a specialised service for specific issues related to women with epilepsy throughout their lifetime. This includes contraception in the reproductive years, planning to conceive, pregnancy, the postpartum period and beyond the childbearing years.
Queensland Comprehensive Epilepsy Surgical Program
We also run the Queensland Comprehensive Epilepsy Surgical Program, which is a statewide referral service for adults with refractory or complex epilepsy. We offer:
- evaluation for surgical treatment
- epilepsy surgery and post-surgical care
- access to an integrated, multidisciplinary network of primary and specialist care
- clinicians are also involved in the Australian Pregnancy Register.
The service provides access to an integrated, multidisciplinary network of primary and specialist care including:
- neurologists
- neurosurgeons
- neuropsychologists
- radiologists
- nuclear medicine specialists
- psychiatrists
- nurses
- neurophysiologists
- researchers.