This specialized clinic provides services for children and teens with epilepsy who continue to have seizures despite being on more than one appropriate medication (known as medically refractory epilepsy). We provide family-centred care with an understanding that epilepsy in a child affects the whole family.
The Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program (CPEP) at McMaster Children’s Hospital is a designated provincial district epilepsy center. Our program has a Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic staffed by a variety of healthcare professionals, as well as a two-bed inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
Care We Provide
- Assessment and management of children with medically refractory epilepsy
- Clinical assessment prior to admission to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)
- Pre-surgical evaluation of children with medically refractory epilepsy
- Consultation for second opinions in children with medically refractory epilepsy
- Counseling and education of patients with epilepsy
- Liberalized forms of diet therapy for the management of epilepsy in addition to traditional diet therapy
What to Bring
- Your child’s Health Card. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care requires us to validate your health card at every clinic visit.
- Any relevant test results or assessment reports available from other healthcare providers or institutions.
- Any notes or questions that you may have.
- List of current medications and allergies.
When you arrive, please check-in at the reception desk. The Business Clerk will register you in the electronic system so that your team will know that you have arrived.
Note: If your child is unwell or has a communicable disease such as Chicken Pox or has been in contact with someone with Chicken Pox, please call the clinic before you come to the hospital.
Team Members
Our team includes doctors (pediatric epileptologists), a nurse practitioner, social worker, neuropsychologist, dietitian and EEG technologists.
Referral Process
Due to the specialized nature of the clinic, referrals are accepted only from general pediatricians, neurologists, and neurosurgeons.
Referrals can be faxed directly to the clinic at 905-521-5056.
Comprehensive Pediatric Referral Form
Urgent Referrals: The clinics are not for emergencies. If your child needs to be seen on an urgent basis, please contact your family doctor or go to your local emergency department.