Neurology 'network' to improve NHS services for MS

New NHS plans announced last week mean that people with MS and other neurological conditions are one step closer to gaining access to the treatment and support they deserve.

Priority

A new ‘Strategic Clinical Network’ (SCN) will be formed for people with ‘mental health, dementia and neurological conditions’ and aims to improve services for people across England.

The SCNs are part of the reorganisation of the health and social care system, and are designed to help identify where there is variation in care (like a postcode lottery) and where health services need to be improved.

It will involve partners from Social Care and the Voluntary Sector as well as health organisations. This is the first time neurological conditions have been recognised by the NHS as a priority.

Clinical networks for cancer, diabetes and other common conditions have existed for some time, and seen great improvements in services.

Damning

The decision by the NHS follows two damning reports from the National Audit Office in December 2011 and Public Accounts Committee report in March 2012, both of which said neurological services need to be improved. The Neurological Alliance, of which the MS Society is a member, has also released a report this week criticising neurology services.

We will be working with partner organisations who support people with neurological conditions to identify key challenges that need to be addressed, your stories will help us do this.