In Ontario, 95,000 people live with epilepsy, and Community Epilepsy Agencies make a huge impact, educating and supporting individuals and families touched by this disease. Their programs benefit both people affected by epilepsy and the healthcare system, yet these core programs are not funded by the provincial government. Even basic epilepsy education about when a seizure is or isn’t an emergency can reduce the thousands of unnecessary trips to the Emergency Room every year, reducing the province’s Hallway Healthcare crisis and saving the healthcare system millions of dollars. With a modest investment from the provincial government, Agencies can continue and expand their programs, serving more people and making a positive impact on the healthcare system.

Epilepsy Ontario has sent a pre-budget submission to the provincial government, asking for $11.9 million dollars over 4 years, province-wide, to fund epilepsy education and support programs at Community Epilepsy Agencies. This would allow local agencies to continue and expand their education programs, including seizure first aid and when to go, and not to go, to the ER following a seizure, and to provide support to clients who have complex needs. We would also be able to start providing programs in those parts of the province without a local agency.

We believe that the cost savings through reduced Emergency Room use and inpatient admissions will more than pay for this program, and will actually save the province over $9.5 million over 4 years.

You Can Help

You can show your support for epilepsy program funding by:

• Sending a short, pre-written letter to the Health and Finance Ministers
• By contacting your local MPP (not sure who your MPP is? Click here