Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP has called for NHS Highland to outline its plans to remove the postcode lottery of care for many people living with a neurological condition within his constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.  Despite some improvements over the last two years, as the NHS has tried to meet national Clinical Standards for services, there remain huge variations in care by area and condition. Many people living with conditions that affect their brain, spine and nervous system are still unable to access the support they need.

One million people in Scotland have a neurological condition that affects their lives. Such conditions account for one in every eight emergency admissions to hospital. Mr Thompson said: “I want to know where NHS Highland is headed with services for people with neurological conditions in Skye, Lochaber, Badenoch and the Black Isle.  I recently met representatives of charities working with people affected, who told me that many people are not getting the care and support they need. I am very concerned that there are still big variations in care by postcode and condition. Poor care is a false economy because it means that people are more likely to need to use expensive hospital services.

“Although there has been progress over the last two years, there is still much more to be done. Given the scale of the challenge, we need more than two years to ensure that everyone has equal access to good care and support  across Scotland. I have written to NHS Highland to ask what plans it has to continue to support services for people living with neurological conditions, and I will continue to press for improvements.“

Notes:

1. The NHS published mandatory Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services in 2009, which outlined the standards of care health boards must meet for adults with any neurological condition. These include:

•           information for people with neurological conditions and their carers

•           emergency provision

•           access to specialist care

•           appropriate long term and community support

Boards must also show evidence of strategic service planning.

2. The NHS has invested £1.2 million in a national improvement programme over two years to help Boards to meet these standards, and the results of a national review of these services will be published in the next few months.

3. The Neurological Alliance of Scotland is a focused and purposeful forum of not-for-profit organisations and groups representing those affected by neurological conditions in Scotland. The Alliance was launched in 2004 to ensure that neurological services are given priority at all levels of health and social care planning. The Alliance enables neurological organisations/groups to campaign together and speak with an influential voice. The Alliance currently has over 30 member organisations all of whom represent people with neurological conditions. For more information about The Neurological Alliance of Scotland please visit www.scottishneurological.org.uk