'Action plan' for epilepsy sufferers proposed

On 24 November 2010, Labour's Valerie Vaz proposed a bill to support children and adults with epilepsy.

The legislation would require the health and education departments to draw up an "action plan" to improve services for people with epilepsy.

Ms Vaz told MPs that there are nearly half a million people with epilepsy in the UK, with three people dying from epilepsy-related causes every day.

"As a society we are failing these children and adults," she said.

The Walsall South MP called for assessments to discover the needs of children with the condition and how they could be supported in the classroom.

"In this way they can fulfil their potential like other high-profile people with epilepsy so that they can become the Dostoevsky, write poetry like Lord Byron or beautiful songs like Neil Young", she said.