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Specialist medicine · First seizure · Private clinic in East London

Private first seizure clinic in London, same-day specialist medicine.

A first seizure is frightening and does not necessarily mean epilepsy — around half of people who have one never have another. What it does mean is prompt assessment, some immediate practical precautions, and a legal obligation about driving that must be acted on the same day. Our private specialist medicine clinic in East London offers same-day first seizure assessment with a private specialist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.

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Call 999 for a first seizure, a seizure lasting over 5 minutes, or if the person is injured or not waking up.

The condition

What is first seizure?

A first seizure is frightening and does not necessarily mean epilepsy — around half of people who have one never have another. What it does mean is prompt assessment, some immediate practical precautions, and a legal obligation about driving that must be acted on the same day.

  • What first seizure is
  • Symptoms to look for
  • Causes & risk factors
  • Tests & diagnosis
  • Treatment options
  • When to see a specialist

Understanding first seizure

First seizure: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment

Call 999 if a seizure

  • lasts more than five minutes, or a second follows without recovery in between
  • occurs in someone who has never had one before
  • results in injury, or happens in water
  • occurs in pregnancy, or in someone with diabetes
  • is followed by difficulty breathing, or failure to regain consciousness
  • occurs with a high fever, severe headache or neck stiffness

A seizure lasting more than five minutes is status epilepticus and needs emergency treatment. Anyone having a first seizure should be assessed the same day, and referred to a first-seizure clinic to be seen within two weeks. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.

What to do if you see one

  1. Note the time it starts. Duration determines whether an ambulance is needed.
  2. Protect them from injury — move hard objects away, cushion the head, loosen anything tight around the neck.
  3. Do not restrain them, and do not put anything in the mouth. You cannot swallow your tongue, and objects break teeth and cause injury.
  4. When the jerking stops, roll them onto their side into the recovery position and check breathing.
  5. Stay with them until they are fully alert. Confusion and drowsiness afterwards can last an hour or more and is normal.
  6. Be calm and reassuring as they come round — they will be disorientated and may be frightened or embarrassed.

You must stop driving today, and tell the DVLA

This is a legal requirement and it is regularly missed. After a first unprovoked seizure you must stop driving immediately and notify the DVLA. For a car or motorcycle licence, driving is normally barred for six months after a first seizure, and for twelve months if epilepsy is diagnosed — longer for bus, coach and lorry licences. Failing to declare it is a criminal offence, invalidates your insurance, and carries a fine of up to £1,000 as well as liability if you have a collision. We can advise on your specific situation, but the duty to inform the DVLA is yours.

What is investigated

  • A detailed account from someone who witnessed it — the single most useful piece of information. If anyone filmed it, bring the video; it is genuinely diagnostic.
  • Blood tests — glucose, sodium, calcium, magnesium, kidney and liver function, full blood count, and a pregnancy test where relevant.
  • ECG — important, because cardiac causes of collapse are mistaken for seizures and are dangerous to miss.
  • EEG — records brain electrical activity. A normal EEG does not exclude epilepsy, and an abnormal one does not confirm it.
  • MRI brain to look for a structural cause.

Things that provoke seizures

  • Alcohol — particularly withdrawal after heavy drinking, which is a common trigger
  • Sleep deprivation, which is the most consistent provoking factor of all
  • recreational drugs, particularly stimulants
  • certain medicines, and abrupt withdrawal of others
  • very low blood sodium or glucose
  • infection, fever, and head injury
  • In some people, flashing lights — though photosensitivity affects a minority

Safety while things are being sorted out

Do

  • Shower rather than bath, and never lock the bathroom door
  • Tell someone at work, and anyone you live with, what to do
  • Prioritise regular sleep — this matters more than most people realise
  • Use the back rings on the hob and turn pan handles inwards
  • Consider a shower seat, and avoid swimming alone

Avoid

  • Driving, until the DVLA confirms you may
  • Baths, swimming alone, and heights or ladders
  • Alcohol binges, and cutting down abruptly if you drink heavily
  • Operating machinery, or working at height, until reviewed
  • Cycling in traffic until you have been advised

Does it mean epilepsy?

Not necessarily. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after two or more unprovoked seizures, or after one where the investigations show a high risk of recurrence. A provoked seizure — from alcohol withdrawal, very low sodium or an acute illness — is not epilepsy, and treating the cause is what matters. Medication is not always started after a first seizure; that decision balances recurrence risk against side effects, and it is yours to make with a neurologist.

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Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.

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Private assessment

See a private specialist for first seizure in London

At our private specialist medicine clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private specialist or first seizure doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant specialist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about first seizure.

Book a private first seizure assessment

Local, private, fast

A private specialist medicine clinic for East London & Canary Wharf

Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private first seizure appointment with a specialist, without the wait or the referral.

Why choose us

Why choose our East London private specialist medicine clinic

  • Same-day, no referral — private GP and specialist medicine under one roof
  • Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
  • Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
  • Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
  • A named clinician who explains your results clearly
  • Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on

Ready when you are

See a private specialist for first seizure — the same day.

Book a private first seizure assessment in East London: same-day appointments, specialist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.

Book same-day appointment 020 7916 0029

Common questions

First seizure in London: your questions answered

Where can I find a private first seizure specialist near me in East London?

Our private specialist medicine clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private specialist or first seizure doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.

Can I see a private specialist for first seizure the same day?

Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a specialist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.

How much does a private first seizure appointment cost in London?

We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the first seizure assessment and any tests before you book.

Do I need a referral to see a private specialist for first seizure?

No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a specialist, we will guide you.

Which areas do you serve for private first seizure care?

We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.

Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.

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In an emergency, call 999. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. Your nearest A&E is The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1FR — 5 minutes’ walk from our front door.

Areas we serve

Private first seizure care in London & East London — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf

Patients visit our Whitechapel clinic for private first seizure assessment and treatment from right across London and East London, the City and the Docklands — including Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bermondsey and the surrounding areas. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available and you do not need a GP referral.

Easy to reach — minutes from the Royal London Hospital and Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations, and one stop from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line.

Private first seizure treatment near me? If you are searching for private first seizure treatment near me, a first seizure doctor or specialist near me, or a private clinic near me in East London, our Whitechapel practice is on your doorstep — walk-in and same-day appointments, no GP referral, and no long NHS waiting list.

Book a same-day appointment or call 020 7916 0029. See our transparent fees. Open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm. Private clinic on Whitechapel Road, London E1 — serving Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Islington, the City of London and Southwark.

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