In Norway there is only one specialised centre for epilepsy. It is designated as a national centre of competence in epileptology and comprehensive epilepsy service. The services offered by the centre are established in accordance with the objectives decided upon by the health authorities and Parliament. Patients are admitted to the centre for seizures that are of unclear origin or difficult to treat, for evaluation of surgical treatment and postoperative controls, and for psychosocial problems related to the seizure problems and diagnoses.
Many patients are multiply handicapped, some with an unclear common etiology.
Many are in need of family therapy, and many have problems with habitation and rehabilitation. Most patients need a multiprofessional comprehensive service, and some participate in group therapy. For inpatients, the centre has a neuropediatric department, with four wards for 32 children 1 to 14 years of age, and a neurologic department with two wards for 18 adolescents and 18 adults without mental retardation, one ward for 18 patients with slight retardation, and one ward for 9 patients with severe retardation. There are no wards for residential care. There are units for intensive monitoring, vocational observation and training, physiotherapy, and leisure activities, as well as laboratories for clinical chemistry, clinical neurophysiology, and neuropsychology.