Chapter Name: Epilepsy Society of Australia
Report By: Patrick Carney

Publications:

Nil

Summary of Activities:

Educational Activities

Annual Scientific Meeting

The ESA Annual Scientific Meeting was held as an on-line meeting this year given restrictions on travel within Australia. Attendance to the virtual meeting was excellent with 285 registrants, with over 200 participants at most sessions. Sixty participants provided feedback following the meeting which was overwhelmingly positive. The meeting received 64 abstracts and provided the opportunity for 16 junior researchers to present new academic work whilst brief “poster” presentations in breakout rooms meant that all academic work was presented. Planning for next year’s meeting is well advanced with the hope that this will be face to face or possibly a hybrid meeting with opportunities for remote attendance.

ESA Webinar program

The ESA commenced a webinar program this year to provide education on key topics in epilepsy care. The program was well attended both within Australia and internationally. The lectures are publicly available for those who missed hearing them live on the ESA website for all to access (https://www.epilepsy-society.org.au/esa-webinar.asp).

EEG training

The ESA continues to support training for all Australian and New Zealand neurology trainees in EEG interpretation. In addition this training course is extended to mid and early career neurologists and others in Australasia to maintain competency. Training will pivot to an on-line format in 2021 to insure this important teaching program can continue to be delivered.

Epilepsy fellowship and educational support

The ESA has awarded its annual fellowship following selection from a competitive field of high quality candidates. Other educational support including travel grants and overseas bursaries has been curtailed this year due to the pandemic.

Educational materials

The ESA has continued to provide educational materials to inform key topics in epilepsy care on the ESA website. A key development has been a brochure on use of valproate in women of child bearing age.

Advocacy

WHO Global Actions on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders

The ESA has enthusiastically supported the endeavours of the ILAE in advocating for greater recognition of the global impact of epilepsy on human health through engagement with the government of Australia. The ESA congratulates the ILAE on the recent significant announcement of a resolution to develop a 10-year Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders.

Access to medications

The ESA, via representation from the Drugs and Devices committee, has lobbied relevant federal authorities to review access and availability of key epilepsy medications. Importantly this has led to changes in prescribing recommendations for women of child bearing age making it easier to prescribe medications which are considered first line in this population. In addition, there is ongoing discussion regarding providing CBD products for use in epilepsy care, particularly for patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome

Membership

Membership for the ESA remains strong. We had a boost in numbers prior to the ASM and now have 386 members.

Finances and Reporting

The ESA has completed its annual financial reports for the last financial year and submitted these to the relevant regulatory authorities in Australia. The ESA remains in a strong financial position enabling it to support educational activities, including the ASM, to provide grants for fellowships and to support the Raoul Wallenberg Australian Epilepsy Pregnancy Register.

Challenges:

No perceived challenges beyond those outlined in the summary of activities.

Future Plans:

As per Summary of Activities.

Officer Election Date: 3rd November 2021