Input from patients with neurological conditions sought

Evidence suggests there was a national rise of a third in unplanned hospital admissions for people with conditions including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease between 2005 and 2010 – twice the rate across the NHS as a whole.

Concerns have also been raised about delays in receiving diagnoses and poorly co-ordinated care.

Now an audit of services is being carried out in the Vale of York
where around 62,000 people are believed to have a neurological complaint.

Marilyn Ekers, acting chairman of North Yorkshire and York Neurological Alliance, said: “We want to see people with a long-term neurological condition at the heart of the design, delivery and evaluation of services.”

Sue Thomas, chief executive of Neurological Commissioning Support, which is supporting the audit, said: “In other areas that we have worked, we’ve been able to identify service improvements that could be made to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with neurological conditions as well as cost savings for the NHS.”

To get involved in the audit, including discussion groups in York on September 5, 6, 12 and 14, contact Jane Clarke on 0208 438 0715 or email [email protected].