Epilepsy: Children

Children’s care on this issue should be managed in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on epilepsies, with the reference code NG217. The guideline sets out a range of evidence‑based treatment options beyond anti‑seizure medications, including referral to specialist centres to consider interventions such as epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and dietary therapies, where clinically appropriate.

NHS England commissions specialised paediatric epilepsy services, including tertiary centres that provide multidisciplinary assessment and access to a full range of treatment options for children with complex or drug‑resistant epilepsy. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning local services and for addressing variation in access and outcomes within their populations.

The national bundle of care for children with epilepsy supports more consistent, high‑quality care by setting out a clear, standardised approach to assessment, treatment, and ongoing management. By promoting timely referral to specialist services, multidisciplinary review, and consideration of the full range of evidence‑based treatment options, including for children with drug‑resistant epilepsy, the bundle helps ensure that care is delivered in line with best practice regardless of where a child lives. This reduces unwarranted regional variation and improves equitable access to appropriate interventions by supporting ICBs and providers to align services with national expectations and clinical guidance.

Implementation of the national bundle of care, alongside NICE guidance and NHS England’s service specifications for specialised epilepsy services, helps to ensure a more standardised approach to care and supports efforts to reduce unwarranted variation in access to appropriate treatments across England.