Services For People With Neurological Conditions: Department of Health

HC 1586, Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Session 2010-12

Author:

National Audit Office (NAO)

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £16.00

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'Services For People With Neurological Conditions (HC 1586)' reports that since 2005, when the Department of Health introduced its National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions, people with neurological conditions have had better access to health services; but key indicators of quality - such as the rate of emergency hospital readmissions - have worsened.

The Department does not know what the Framework and additional spending of nearly 40% over four years have achieved. The Framework was designed to improve care for people with neurological conditions, but progress in implementing it has been poor

Access to health services for people with long-term neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease, has improved and waiting times for inpatient and outpatient neurology have decreased since 2007. However, although the number of elective neurological operations performed has increased, the rate of emergency admissions to hospital has also increased significantly and there is large variation in emergency admission rates between Primary Care Trusts.

The availablility of services for patients varies significantly depending on where they live. Many patients, following their diagnosis, are not given information on their condition, about local services or on available support. Ongoing care is fragmented and poorly coordinated and there is a pattern of patients being referred to hospital for treatment, then discharged and then referred to hospital again.

The NAO also found that there is poor coordination between health and social services. The number of adults with a physical disability receiving social services has fallen since 2005-06, because fewer people are now eligible for these services.

Extent	42 pages	ISBN	9780102977042
Size	A4	Price	£16.00
Format	Paperback	Published	16 Dec 2011
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges