On 15 March 2023, Victorian-based Epilepsy Nurse, Kelly Ogden, delivered an NDIS Master Class during an Epilepsy Smart Australia education session. The class was delivered to over 100 disability support workers and managers, where Kelly was one of four speakers, including Professor Julian Troller of the University of New South Wales; Epilepsy Nurse, Tina Furse from Epilepsy Action, and NDIS participant, Ash.
Kelly’s presentation focused on the Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP), Emergency Medication Management Plan (EMMP) and Complex Epilepsies, which opened up discussion around the person centric nature of the EMP and the role of disability workers in supporting someone living with epilepsy to achieve quality outcomes. The presentation delved into complex epilepsy management and considerations for workers including comorbidities, the need for some people to be on multiple medications, people who require surgical interventions the ketogenic diet, and emergency medication.
Utilising a case study of a client who has complex drug-resistant epilepsy and an underlying genetic neurological condition, Kelly highlighted the importance of disability workers understanding their client’s needs.
Demonstrating the strong demand for education and training from the disability sector, workshop participants were well engaged in the session and asked many questions in the online chat and then during the Q&A session after the presentations.
Upon completion of the Master Class, participants expressed their delight in Kelly’s presentation through an online poll, where her content was voted the most valuable, while also receiving great feedback from the NDIS.
We congratulate Kelly and the other presenters on an outstanding presentation, and look forward to future insight into her work.