A better deal for neurology - support our campaign for a national neurology strategy

Epilepsy Action is supporting a Neurological Alliance campaign for a better deal for neurology in England.

The Neurological Alliance is a collective voice for over 50 brain and spine charities in England. This includes charities such as Parkinson’s UK, The Stroke Association and MS Society, as well as epilepsy organisations such as Epilepsy Action, Epilepsy Bereaved and the Joint Epilepsy Council. Philip Lee, Epilepsy Action’s Chief Executive, is a trustee of the Neurological Alliance.

The new campaign follows a recent report that showed millions of people with neurological conditions are being let down by services. We want a government commitment to improving care and support for people with neurological conditions. We are asking for a national strategy for neurology, and the appointment of a National Clinical Director for Neurology who will oversee this work.

There are national strategies for other condition groups such as cancer, diabetes and stroke, and national clinical directors for areas such as dementia, liver disease and mental health. We believe, with over eight million people in England living with a neurological condition, neurology deserves the same support.

‘Services for people with neurological conditions’ report

In December the National Audit Office published a report of their investigation into progressive neurological conditions.

Although epilepsy is not a progressive neurological condition, Epilepsy Action still submitted evidence to the National Audit Office about epilepsy services.

The report found:

• Between 2006 and 2010, there was a 38 per cent increase in spending on neurological health services. However the quality of care worsened, and the Department of Health have admitted they have no understanding of how this extra money benefited patients.
• Between 2004 and 2010, emergency admissions to hospital increased by 32 per cent for neurological patients, compared to 17 per cent for the NHS as a whole.
• This means that almost £1 billion pounds has been wasted by people with neurological conditions being unnecessarily admitted to hospital.

The government will be formally responding to this report in the spring, and we hope they will listen to our recommendations for improvement.
How you can get involved

We are encouraging our supporters to join our call for a government commitment by contacting their MP. We are asking MPs to:

• Sign an Early Day Motion calling for a national strategy for neurology.
• Write to the Secretary of State for Health to ask how he will respond to the issues highlighted in the National Audit Office report

You can contact your MP by email, to ask him/her to do this, by using a tool on the Neurological Alliance website.

Other neurological groups are asking their supporters to do the same.