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National Service Framework for long term conditions
According to the Department of Health, millions of people with long term neurological conditions will get a faster diagnosis, more rapid treatment and a comprehensive package of care under a new National Service Framework; the results of which were announced on Thursday 10 March 2005.
The long-awaited launch of the National Service Framework for long-term conditions (with a focus on neurological conditions) comes at a time when 10 million people in the UK are living with a neurological condition which has a significant impact on their lives. These account for 20% of acute hospital admissions and the third most common reason for seeing a GP. In addition, there is a desperate shortage of Consultant Neurologists in the country. With only 358, the ratio works out at one consultant for every 177,000 people.
The NSF was developed in consultation with people with long term neurological conditions in order to raise standards of treatment, care and support across health and social services. The Brain and Spine Foundation has been closely involved in the development of the NSF. As well as chairing the Neurological Alliance NSF Interest Group, the Brain and Spine Foundation’s chief executive, Maggie Alexander, was also invited by the Department of Health to join the NSF Implementation Group.
“This may turn out to be the most significant health and social care policy of this decade for our constituents,”
The NSF set out a list of 11 quality requirements in the services offered to people with long term neurological conditions. These include:
• providing a person centered service;
• early recognition, prompt diagnosis and treatment;
• adequate emergency and acute management;
• early and specialist rehabilitation;
• community rehabilitation and support;
• vocational rehabilitation;
• providing personal care and support; and
• supporting families and carers.
“Throughout the process, the Foundation emphasized the importance of access to high quality, timely, appropriate information as part of a comprehensive package of care and we enthusiastically support the inclusion of information,” said Maggie.
Local NHS and Social Services are responsible for reviewing their services to see if they already meet the criteria set out in the NSF. This will help them to decide their local priorities for making changes and improvements, to meet the Quality Requirements in full over the next 10 years.
Visit the Department of Health's website for more information on the their NSF announcement, including the 11 Quality Requirements.
The NSF was developed in consultation with people with long term neurological conditions in order to raise standards of treatment, care and support across health and social services. The Brain and Spine Foundation has been closely involved in the development of the NSF. As well as chairing the Neurological Alliance NSF Interest Group, the Brain and Spine Foundation’s chief executive, Maggie Alexander, was also invited by the Department of Health to join the NSF Implementation Group.
“This may turn out to be the most significant health and social care policy of this decade for our constituents,”
The NSF set out a list of 11 quality requirements in the services offered to people with long term neurological conditions. These include:
• providing a person centered service;
• early recognition, prompt diagnosis and treatment;
• adequate emergency and acute management;
• early and specialist rehabilitation;
• community rehabilitation and support;
• vocational rehabilitation;
• providing personal care and support; and
• supporting families and carers.
“Throughout the process, the Foundation emphasized the importance of access to high quality, timely, appropriate information as part of a comprehensive package of care and we enthusiastically support the inclusion of information,” said Maggie.
Local NHS and Social Services are responsible for reviewing their services to see if they already meet the criteria set out in the NSF. This will help them to decide their local priorities for making changes and improvements, to meet the Quality Requirements in full over the next 10 years.
Visit the Department of Health's website for more information on the their NSF announcement, including the 11 Quality Requirements.
