Acute Care
Encephalitis is usually an acute illness that requires admission to a hospital.
As with other acute neurological illnesses it should be managed by a neurologist
/ paediatric neurologist. Some general hospitals will not have a neurologist on
site so a transfer to a hospital with a neurology department is recommended. See
“UK Neurology – the next 10 years: Putting the Patient First” by
the Association of British Neurologists (ABN), published in 2003.
People who are acutely ill with encephalitis and those in the early stages of recovery
often have specialist care needs. Difficulties with memory, understanding, perception
and traits of behaviour such as aggression and disinhibition require specialist
nursing skills that are not found on a general ward.
Most Regional hospitals will have a neurology department, some previous knowledge
of the illness and the resources to undertake specialist tests.
In the UK, NHS patients are entitled to ask for a second opinion from another specialist
at any stage in their treatment, although a second opinion is most commonly requested
at diagnosis.
In the UK unusual cases of encephalitis in adults that do not respond to treatment
are often referred to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen
Square, London.
Discharge
Page 30 of the booklet ”Your Guide to the NHS” states that “your
discharge plan will be agreed with you taking account of your needs and wants”
The Discharge plan should take into account the assessments recommended in the summary
guidelines in “Rehabilitation following acquired brain injury - National Clinical
Guidelines”.
If you are unclear what to ask for at discharge, please contact the Encephalitis
Society direct.