Neurologist David Bourke has returned to the Wellington region after working in neurology in the United Kingdom, where he spent two years at the renowned National Hospital for Neurologyand Neurosurgery, Queen Square in London.
The Queen Square hospital is a leading centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke and head injuries and an international centre for research and training.
Dr Bourke is not new to the Hutt Valley and is a St Patrick’s College Silverstream Old Boy. He will be consulting regularly at Hutt Hospital helping patients with a range of neurological problems, including seizures.
“Seizures are changes in the brain’s electrical activity and can stem from a number of health conditions including
epilepsy,” says Dr Bourke.
Strong seizures can cause symptoms including violent shaking and loss of control, Dr Bourke explains. Mild seizures can be harder to identify and also be a sign of a significant medical problem.
“Anyone who experiences an unexplained or reduced loss of consciousness or black-out should take it seriously. Seizures can lead to injury or be evidence of an underlying medical condition, so it’s important to see your doctor if you experience them.”
He says it’s also important for people to refrain from driving. “It’s amazing how many people drive a car to their first neurology appointment after being advised not to.”
Dr Sisira Jayathissa, acting chief medical officer for the Hutt Valley DHB, is delighted with David’s appointment. He says while there has always been a regional neurology service operating across the three district health boards,
having David join the team is a boost for the service.
“Having more specialist care on site at Hutt Hospital means we are able to provide a greater level of real-time care and consultation between hospital departments and between the Hutt and Wellington neurology service, which is beneficial for patients.”
What to do if someone is having a seizure:
- stay calm
- protect the person from injury by moving objects away from them if possible, and try to cushion the person’s head
- after the seizure ends, turn the person onto their side and ensure their airway is clear
- reassure the person and stay with them until they are fully awake
- seek help from a GP if you need to
DO NOT put anything in the person’s mouth or try to restrain the person.
Call 111 when
- the person does not wake up within 10 minutes
- the person is not breathing well
- you know it is the person's first seizure
- an injury has occurred
- the seizure happens in water
- the seizure lasts for more than five minutes
- one seizure follows another
