Achi news desk-
The province has announced that people living with epilepsy can now access better treatment through a new epilepsy monitoring unit and an adjacent neurological rehabilitation unit have both opened at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Center (HSC).
“This new monitoring unit will ensure that more Manitobans living with epilepsy can get the specialized care they need, close to home,” said Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “The previous government closed the epilepsy monitoring unit in 2019, leaving Manitobans with no option but to be directed out of the province to receive this essential care, or not receive it at all. We’re taking a different approach, building our health system here in Manitoba, and making sure that this care is always available when people need it. “
Most people diagnosed with epilepsy can successfully manage their symptoms with medication, the minister noted. However, when long-term drug therapy is not effective as a treatment, patients are referred to an epilepsy monitoring unit to determine why they are not responding to drug therapies and whether surgery is an alternative.
The new four-bed adult epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) opened in January, replacing a two-bed unit that closed at the end of 2019 due to staffing challenges and failure of clinical equipment. The new unit, which opens in stages, allows more patients to be continuously monitored to better understand how changes in the brain’s electrical activity relate to their symptoms, which is essential in decide on treatment. The minister noted that the province has provided $2.3 million in capital funding for the EMU and will invest more
than $2.5 million per year towards operating costs.
To accompany the expanded EMU, the HSC Foundation has funded the development of a new four-bed unit strategically located between it and the neurosurgery unit. This new space, called Unit B5B, is an extension of the step-down unit for neurosurgery patients and will increase the capacity required for epilepsy surgery patients.
Because of its location, specialist staff are able to serve both patient populations seamlessly, the minister noted. It opened in December 2023.
“The opening and expansion of the adult EMU is an important development for Manitobans living with epilepsy, and the opening of the new donor-funded B5B Unit will further improve the care available at the Manitoba hospital,” said Lyon. “Today’s announcement is another powerful example of what is possible when government, hospital leaders and the organization work together in a spirit of partnership and in pursuit of excellence in care. We are grateful for the support we received from our donors. Once again, we’ve seen Manitobans be inspired to do their part as donors to help move health care forward. “
Unit B5B was made possible with $500,000 in support from donors, many of whom are affiliated with the Epilepsy and Seizure Society of Manitoba.
“My son Tom has a vagus nerve stimulator implanted to help control his seizures and he visits the HSC seizure clinic every 10 weeks,” said Pat Trottier, board member, Epilepsy and Seizure Society Manitoba, and a contributor to the organization’s campaign. “Seeing the addition of Unit B5B gives me confidence that Tom and other Manitobans with epilepsy will have timely access to the care and evaluation they need.”
There is currently a pediatric epilepsy surgical program with a monitoring unit in Manitoba, but no adult program is yet in place. A modern, fully operational unit for adult epilepsy monitoring is an important step forward towards establishing such a programme, the minister noted. With the opening of a modern epilepsy monitoring unit, more and more patients who are candidates for epilepsy surgery will be identified, with the aim of recruiting additional staff to support the adult surgical programme.
“Establishing a fully operational program for adults will bring significant benefits to patients and the health system as a whole,” said Dr. Manon Pelletier, chief medical officer, HSC. “Proper diagnosis and assessment of the disease will lead to fewer repeat visits to emergency departments, fewer inpatient admissions and less need for frequent MRI scans. We are thrilled to be moving forward with a plan that will improve the lives of patients and the health care services available to them in Manitoba.”
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