Epilepsy with Emergency Medication
Course Overview
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in the UK. For many people, seizures are well-controlled. For others, there is a risk of prolonged or repeated seizures that require emergency medication.
This Epilepsy Awareness with Emergency Medication training course provides staff with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to safely support individuals living with epilepsy, including the administration of prescribed rescue medication such as buccal midazolam.
The course combines clear clinical understanding with practical, real-world application. It supports compliance with care standards and promotes safe, person-centred practice.
This training is ideal for health and social care providers, education settings, supported living services, and any organisation supporting individuals with a diagnosed with epilepsy.
For foundational knowledge without medication administration, see our Epilepsy Awareness Training.
Course Details
Duration: 4–6 hours (depending on group size and practical assessment requirements)
Delivery: Face-to-face at your venue or live via Zoom/Teams (theory element only)
Group Size: Up to 12 learners (practical assessment dependent)
Who the Course Is For
This course is designed for:
- Care assistants and support workers
- Senior carers and team leaders
- Nurses and clinical staff
- Personal Assistants supporting individuals via Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets
- Special school staff and SEND support teams
- Supported living and residential care teams
It is particularly relevant where staff are required to administer prescribed emergency medication under an individual care plan.
If your service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), this course supports compliance with safe care and treatment standards.
Why This Training Is Important
A prolonged seizure (status epilepticus) is a medical emergency. Knowing when to monitor, when to act, and how to safely administer emergency medication can prevent serious harm and save lives.
Training ensures staff:
- Understand different seizure types
- Recognise escalation and risk factors
- Follow individualised epilepsy care plans correctly
- Administer emergency medication safely and legally
- Maintain clear documentation and communication
This aligns with guidance from:
- NICE – Epilepsies in children, young people and adults
- Epilepsy Action – Professional Guidance
- Resuscitation Council UK
- Epilepsy Nurse Association
Understanding both the “why” and the “how” behind seizure management builds confident, competent teams.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define epilepsy and understand its causes
- Explain the difference between focal, generalised, and absence seizures
- Identify seizure triggers and risk factors
- Recognise early warning signs and seizure progression
- Describe what happens during prolonged seizures
- Explain what status epilepticus is and why it is dangerous
- Understand prescribed rescue medications (buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam)
- Follow legal and consent requirements for medication administration
- Safely administer emergency medication in line with individual care plans
- Monitor, record, and escalate appropriately
- Provide post-seizure care and reassurance
- Complete accurate documentation
Course Content
The session covers:
Understanding Epilepsy
- What epilepsy is (and what it is not)
- Causes and diagnosis
- Myths and misconceptions
- Individualised epilepsy management plans
Types of Seizures
- Tonic-clonic seizures
- Focal seizures
- Absence seizures
- Atonic and myoclonic seizures
Recognising an Emergency
- When a seizure becomes prolonged
- Repeated seizures without recovery
- Breathing concerns
- Injury risks
Emergency Medication
- Buccal midazolam
- Rectal diazepam
- Storage and handling
- Consent and legal considerations
- Practical administration (face-to-face delivery only)
Aftercare and Documentation
- Monitoring after medication
- When to call emergency services
- Recording requirements
- Communication with families and healthcare professionals
We also reinforce links to Basic Life Support principles. You may wish to combine this course with our Basic Life Support (BLS) Training.
How the Course Is Delivered
This course is delivered in an engaging, interactive format. We avoid “death by PowerPoint” and focus on practical understanding, scenario discussion, and safe competence assessment.
Face-to-face sessions include:
- Demonstration
- Practical medication administration simulation
- Group discussion
- Case studies
- Knowledge assessment
Remote delivery is suitable for awareness refreshers but does not include practical medication sign-off.
All training is delivered by experienced instructors with extensive backgrounds in health and social care and is subject to external quality assurance.
Certification & Validity
Upon successful completion, learners receive a certificate.
For face-to-face, practical Midazolam competency sign-off is available.
Annual refreshers are recommended due to the clinical risk involved and to maintain competence in emergency medication administration.
In-House & Bespoke Training
We tailor this course to your setting.
Before delivery, we can:
- Review your medication policies
- Incorporate your documentation templates
- Align content with your risk assessments
- Integrate your organisational procedures
Course Location & Service Areas
We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue, tailored to your needs and schedule. This flexible approach removes the need to send staff off-site for essential learning.
Our experienced trainers deliver courses across Manchester and Greater Manchester, supporting organisations throughout the North West.
We also provide on-site training throughout England, covering major cities, towns, and regions nationwide, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.
Wherever and however the training is delivered, all sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors and meet the same high standards.
FAQs
Is this course suitable for administering buccal midazolam?
Yes. The face-to-face version includes practical simulation and competency assessment for administering prescribed buccal midazolam in line with individual care plans.
Can staff administer emergency medication after this course?
Staff can administer emergency medication only where it is prescribed for a named individual and where they are authorised under organisational policy. This course supports competence but does not override local governance requirements.
How often should training be refreshed?
Annual refreshers are recommended, or sooner if care plans change.
Does this course meet CQC expectations?
Yes. It supports safe care delivery under Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) and demonstrates appropriate staff training and competence.
Related Courses
- Epilepsy Awareness Training
- Basic Life Support (BLS) & AED Training
- First Aid in Health & Social Care
- Medication Administration Training
Book or Enquire
If you support individuals living with epilepsy and need confident, competent staff who know what to do when it matters most, we can help.
Contact us to discuss your setting, your policies, and how we can tailor this course to your team.
