Sir William Gowers Assessment Centre
The Sir William Gowers Assessment Centre is situated on Epilepsy Society’s Chalfont St Peter site in Buckinghamshire and is renowned for its treatment of epilepsy. The centre offers in-depth inpatient assessment for those aged 17 and over with uncontrolled epilepsy and related needs.
Assessment is provided in a relaxed atmosphere to reduce anxiety. Patients are invited to an informal pre-admission assessment to give them the opportunity to look around the unit, meet the staff and decide if it is suitable for them. Meeting the needs of patients is a high priority at the centre and each patient will have their own individual care pathway.
The emphasis is on a short term, comprehensive assessment in a non-clinical environment. Patients may be admitted for one day or up to two weeks (full admission), although some patients stay longer if necessary. During admission patients receive assessment from a multi-disciplinary team, which includes:
Through the monitoring and observation of the multi-disciplinary team, the centre aims to provide an accurate diagnosis, improve seizure control, optimise drug therapy and assess skills associated with activities of daily living.
The assessment centre can also educate patients and their carers about the patient’s condition and its management.
Patients are usually referred to the centre by their GP, consultant or epilepsy specialist nurse for:
- evaluation for surgery
- evaluation of diagnosis
- optimisation of anti-epileptic drug treatment
- assessment and treatment of psychiatric, psychological and social aspects of epilepsy
- assessment and treatment of non-epileptic attacks
- assessment of abilities and potential for independent living and employment
- assessment of future care needs.
If you have uncontrolled epilepsy and think you would benefit from assessment at the Sir William Gowers Centre, ask your GP for a referral. Outpatient appointments are also available for investigations such as EEG and MRI.
Clients who reside in care homes on our site at Chalfont St Peter benefit from 24 hour emergency admission to Sir William Gowers Assessment Centre.
> More information about our residential and nursing care
