NHS sitting on a neurology time bomb

The NHS is sitting on a "neurological time bomb", experts have warned.

The Neurological Alliance, which represents more than 70 charities and organisations, said a national strategy is needed to deal with the increasing number of people with conditions such as motor neurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's.

Despite significant increases in funding for neurological conditions, the quality of care for patients has worsened, the alliance said. 

The charity made the comments in response to a report by the National Audit Commission highlighting the problems faced by patients with neurological conditions, including long delays in receiving a diagnosis, lack of access to information and fragmented and poorly coordinated care.

This has resulted in patients being admitted to hospital as emergency cases unnecessarily, the report stated. Between 2004-05 and 2009-10, emergency admissions to hospital increased by 32 per cent for neurological patients, compared to 17 per cent for the NHS as a whole.

As well as putting a significant strain on the NHS, it also has severe impact on the well-being of patients and their families.

Farah Nazeer, Director of External Affairs at the MND Association, said: "Today’s damning report highlights how money alone cannot improve patient care. The increase in emergency admissions is costing the NHS greatly.

"It is also costing the lives of people with MND who are spending what little time they have left in hospital, often against their wishes.

"We are sitting on a neurological time bomb and we need urgent national action now."

More than 220,000 people in the UK suffer from long-term progressive neurological conditions such as MND, MS and Parkinson's disease.

Arlene Wilkie, chief executive of the Neurological Alliance, said: "We support the National Audit Office’s recommendations but we are disappointed that the report doesn't identify the need for a specific neurology outcomes strategy and the role of national leadership in driving this forward. Without this, there is a genuine risk that poor service provision will remain the norm."

This article was published on Tue 17 January 2012