Develop or Update Your Epilepsy Management Plan
What is an Epilepsy Management Plan?
An Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP) is a written document that helps others understand your seizures and how to support you. You can create it with help from your doctor, family, carers, or support workers. Anyone living with epilepsy can benefit from having an EMP. The plan must be reviewed and signed by your doctor.
An EMP includes information about:
- The types of seizures you have
- Your seizure triggers
- How you would like to be supported during a seizure
- What to do in an emergency
Having an EMP means everyone around you – at home, school, work, or in the community – knows how to help you safely and confidently.
We also offer:
- Different EMP templates based on how often you have seizures
- Seizure Management Plans for people who have seizures but do not have an epilepsy diagnosis
- Functional Seizure Plans for those experiencing non-epileptic seizures
If you’ve been prescribed emergency medication, you will also need an Emergency Medication Management Plan.
You can find more information about these plans here.
Developing your first Epilepsy Management Plan?
You can create your own EMP, but many people find it helpful to get support the first time to make sure everything is covered. Our Epilepsy Advisors are available to support you develop:
- Your Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP)
- An Emergency Medication Management Plan (if needed)
If you would like support with developing your EMP, contact NESS or call 1300 761 487.
Updating your existing EMP?
Depending on the complexity, it can be easy to update your Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP) in a few simple steps without our involvement.
How to Review Your Plan
Look over each section of your plan and check if anything needs to be changed, such as:
- Date for review: Plans are usually reviewed once a year
- Seizure types: Have you experienced any new seizure types?
- Seizure descriptions: Do any descriptions need updating?
- Seizure duration:
- Frequency and pattern: Is how often and when your seizures happen still the same?
- Emergency medication: Is it still needed, or has it changed?
- Risks: Anything new coming up? Camp? New triggers identified?
If only minor updates are needed, you can edit your current plan or use one of our templates and then take it to your GP or specialist to sign off.
We also have a convenient e-module to support you through the steps in updating your plan.
Create your epilepsy management plan.
If you would like access to the e-module, or you would still like support in accessing your plan, contact our National Epilepsy Support Service here or call 1300 761 487.