Neurological care and support - framework for action 2020-2025: midpoint progress report

Chair of the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions

Neurological Care and Support: a Framework for Action: 2020-2025 is ambitious in its scope and commitments, made more so by the impact of COVID-19 both on people with neurological conditions and on those delivering services for them. There is still a considerable distance to go. Despite this frustration, there has been tremendous commitment and innovation in creating new opportunities for the way services are delivered. We are confident of the opportunities to build on what has been achieved so far.

The 35 projects funded since October 2020 have directly impacted on improving patient care and support. The projects have been wide ranging in terms of delivery, geographical areas and conditions covered. It is imperative that we promote and facilitate engagement with local leaders to encourage wider adoption of innovative practice where success has been demonstrated.

We have continued to look at how and where we can collect better data on prevalence and use of services. We have issued guidance for acute neurological services on virtual vs face-to-face appointments. The development of a quality assurance framework over the coming months will support the implementation of the General Standards for Neurological Care and Support 2019.

There is still much to do. Funded by the Scottish Government, the first national patient experience survey in Scotland for neurological conditions was led by the Neurological Alliance of Scotland between November 2021 and February 2022. This highlights the considerable challenges that remain to ensure continuity of care across different services, and the difficulties for people being able to access appropriate support for mental health and wellbeing, particularly following diagnosis. The report also highlights the lack of reliable data to support service planning and lack of involvement people with neurological conditions experience in decision-making around the services they receive. These challenges exist in both adult and children's service.

These challenges are not new ones and the Framework seeks to address many of these. Our focus must be to prioritise implementation in order to bring about change in these areas.

Finally, I would like to thank all the members of the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions (Appendix 2) for bringing their time, dedication and expertise to shaping the direction and focus of the implementation of the Framework and what has been achieved so far. I look forward to working together to bring about continued progress.

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie