We provide state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies and treatments for people with epilepsy.
Key points
- We offer both inpatient and outpatient services for the assessment, diagnosis and long-term care of patients with epilepsy
- Treatments include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological options
- Inpatient services are provided in a purpose-built unit within the clinical neuroscience ward at the RMH Parkville
- We accept GP, specialist and other hospital referrals for patients across Victoria, other parts of Australia, or overseas
What we do
Our CEP@RMH offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient services for patients with epilepsy and related disorders.
Our multidisciplinary team perform a comprehensive range of investigation tools, such as:
- High-resolution volumetric MRI
- SPECT
- PET
- fMRI
- Diffusion and perfusion MRI
- EEG source analysis
- Neuropsychology
- Neuropsychiatry evaluation
Treatment options
We offer both pharmacological treatments and non-pharmacological treatments.
Non-pharmacological treatments may include resective surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation and dietary therapies.
Who can use our service
We accept referrals for patients across Melbourne and Victoria, as well as other parts of Australia and overseas.
Outpatient services
We run two outpatient clinics:
- First Seizure Clinic for the prompt assessment of people who have new onset seizures, as well as those for whom the diagnosis is less certain. This clinic is held twice a week at the RMH Parkville.
- Epilepsy Assessment Clinic for patients with established diagnosis of epilepsy who require long-term treatment and follow-up. This clinic is held once a week at the RMH Parkville and twice a week at the RMH Royal Park.
Inpatient services
Our inpatient services are for patients who require long-term scalp and intracranial recording. At our purpose-built 4-bedded video-EEG monitoring (VEM) unit, we monitor patients for clarification of diagnosis, classification of seizure type and epilepsy syndromes, as well as seizure localisation as an essential part of presurgical evaluation.
This unit is located within our clinical neuroscience ward at the RMH Parkville.
Research programs
The CEP@RMH has developed into an internationally recognised epilepsy centre in both clinical service and research.
Our clinics
| Clinic name | Location | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Epilepsy Clinic RMH Parkville | The RMH Parkville | |
| Epilepsy Clinic Royal Park | The RMH Royal Park | Medicare Telehealth |
| Epilepsy Clinic Level 4 North | The RMH Parkville | Medicare |
| First Seizure Clinic Level 1 South East | The RMH Parkville | |
| First Seizure Clinic Level 4 North | The RMH Parkville |
Our clinics
Referrals
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use the RMH referral form or a template from your own system
- Complete and fax your referral to Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 4234
We do not accept email referrals.
What to include in your referral
As outlined by the Department of Health, referral requests should include:
- Patient demographic information
- Referrer demographic information
- Reason for referral
- Presenting problem
- Service(s) requested
- Required referral information specified by statewide or local referral criteria
- Current patient management
- Impact of the problem on the patient
- Name of the consultant and provider number (for Medicare clinics)
- Investigation reports related to the referral
Urgent and after-hours support
Referrals are triaged based on priority. In an emergency, patients can go to the Emergency & Trauma Service at any time.
For advice, urgent referrals and out of hours support, call The RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000 to page our registrar on call.
Statewide referral criteria for clinicians strengthens referrals to specialised services in public hospitals and improves access to non-admitted services. You can browse or search by specialty or medical condition.
HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.
Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).
Need to change or cancel your appointment?
Do one of the following:
- Access Health Hub to change the appointment yourself
- Complete our online form and we'll change it for you
- Call Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 7393 and we'll help you over the phone
What to bring
Every time you come
Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- Your appointment book (if relevant)
- TAC or WorkCover claim number
Interpreters and cultural support
We provide qualified, professional interpreters to help you communicate with us at any time during your stay and at your clinic appointments.
- Μάθετε περισότερα γιά διερμηνείς & υποστήριξη κουλτούρας
- Scopri di più sugli interpreti e sul supporto culturale
- Tercümanlar ve kültürel destek hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinmek için
- Tìm hiểu thêm về thông dịch viên và hỗ trợ văn hóa
- 找出更多翻译与文化支持的信息
- لمزيدٍ من المعلومات عن خدمة الترجمة الشفهية والخدمات الثقافية