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Services for people with neurological conditions "not as good as they ought to be", according to new report
19 December 2011
Services for people with neurological conditions are not as good as they ought to be, according to a report published by National Audit Office last week.
The report, which analyses how neurological services have performed since the introduction of the Department of Health's National Service Framework for long-term conditions in 2005, finds that progress in implementing the Framework has been poor.
Health spending on neurological services has increased significantly since the introduction of the Framework in 2005, and the good news is that access to health services has improved.
But significant problems with the current services remain, including poor information and advice to patients and carers, fragmented and poorly co-ordinated ongoing care, and access to services for people with neurological conditions and their carers varying significantly depending on where they live.
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said:
"Services for people with long-term neurological conditions are not as good as they ought to be, despite a large increase in spending. Progress in implementing the Department's strategy has been poor and local organisations lack incentives to improve the quality of services."
"It is not clear how lessons will be learnt and there are risks to services which the Department must address to ensure that care improves."
You can read the report on Services for people with neurological conditions on the National Audit Office website.
