Poole Hospital has welcomed a new Epilepsy Specialist Nurse thanks to a funding boost of £15,000 from Talbot Village Trust.

Katrina Bottle has been partly funded by the Trust through Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.

There are over 500 children and young people with epilepsy in the local area. Katrina’s role is helping to deliver local families with support, advice and education on how to manage their children’s condition at home and in their day-to-day life. Katrina works closely with the second Roald Dahl Epilepsy Specialist Nurse at Poole Hospital, Sophie Fitzwalter – together they are strengthening their epilepsy service to support the increased need in the local area.

Louise Griew, chief executive of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, said: “In the last year we have continued to establish Roald Dahl Specialist Nurse posts across the UK with 82 nurses providing support for over 21,000 seriously ill children. We would like to thank the Talbot Village Trust for their generous support as Katrina becomes a vital part of the community in Poole, helping children with epilepsy.”

Roald Dahl Nurses are specially trained and dedicated to a group of individual patients and work within the NHS in fields that have fewer resources than others including epilepsy, brain injuries, sickle cell disease and transitional care. They integrate themselves as ‘part of the family’ and are a constant presence in the child’s life through to adult services.”

15-year-old Will, living in Bournemouth, has been one of the many patients under Katrina’s care since Talbot Village Trust’s funding allowed her to begin her new role. After suffering a haemorrhagic stroke in 2018, he was diagnosed with multiple Cavernous Malformations and damage from the bleed led him to develop multiple neurological issues, including epilepsy.

Cherie, Will’s mum, said: “The work these nurses do cannot be quantified. Whilst every other professional ticks off their 10 minute appointments in the clinic, our Roald Dahl Nurse is almost omnipresent. Katrina is at home laughing with Will whilst talking about practicalities, she’s visiting him when he’s on the ward, she’s calling to check in on the family, she’s just amazing and so are Talbot Village Trust for allowing this to happen through their donation.”

Sir Christopher Lees, chairman of the Talbot Village Trust, said: “We could not be prouder of the Talbot sisters’ legacy, especially when we fund causes like Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity that completely changed lives. The work that Katrina has done so far has been phenomenal and she will continue to bring so much hope to families for years to come.”

To apply for funding from the Talbot Village Trust, visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org to submit an online application.

The Trust meets biannually and is accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the trustees meet in autumn 2021.