Care for Bradford people with epilepsy has been awarded a top accolade by a national charity.

Bradford's epilepsy service has won the overall award for most outstanding service in a special one-off honours list complied by the British Epilepsy Association to mark its golden jubilee.

The service was set up more than three years ago after an audit of care given to people with epilepsy in the Bradford district. Epilepsy specialist nurse Jon Sutcliffe said it revealed a patchy service, with many people not having seen a specialist for some time.

Everyone with a diagnosis of epilepsy was offered a review at a clinic near their homes, and Mr Sutcliffe, based at Waddiloves health centre, Queen's Road, Manningham, now has 500 active cases on his books of people who are seen on average every three months. Mr Sutcliffe has the advantage that he is a nurse trained in the care of people with learning disabilities. About a third of people with mild learning disabilities have epilepsy, and that figure rises to one in two for those with severe disability.

The service is one-third funded by Bradford's community health trust because of its work with people with learning disabilities. And Mr Sutcliffe is available by mobile telephone for all people diagnosed with the condition, and can offer intensive support, advice and information in the early weeks.

He said: "I see people at home and educate people. I talk to carers and families. It can be frightening if you are not educated and don't know what it's all about. The stigma would be relieved by education."

Mr Sutcliffe also gives talks to organisations and employers about the condition and works with consultant neurologist Dr Nigel Hakin, as well as three specialist GPs, at five clinics in the Bradford and Shipley areas.

A total of 3,000 people in Bradford have epilepsy.

A British Epilepsy Association spokesman said: "The Bradford service has been given a jubilee award for outstanding services to epilepsy healthcare. The team takes great care to look at each individual, visiting them at home and work, and training care staff. They are dedicated and enthusiastic, committed to providing a high quality service."