Role of the nurse specialist in supporting people with intellectual disabilities and a new diagnosis of epilepsy

People with intellectual disabilities are significantly more likely to have a diagnosis of epilepsy as well as additional diagnoses and comorbidities. This makes assessment, treatment and evaluation of these people significantly more complex. Due to this complexity, the rates of misdiagnosis and diagnostic overshadowing in people with intellectual disabilities leads to health inequalities. Intellectual disability nurses should have a working knowledge of epilepsy; however, intellectual disability epilepsy nurse specialists (ENS) have a key role in mitigating poor healthcare outcomes and ensuring systematic assessment and appropriate treatment is accessible and person-centred. This article uses a case study to illustrate the role of the intellectual disability ENS when supporting this complex patient group.