In 2019, the Scottish Government consulted on Scotland’s first Neurological Action Plan.
Several organisations and individuals, including Epilepsy Scotland, contributed to the consultation. This was done to ensure that any commitments made addressed issues that people with neurological conditions face.
As a result, Neurological Care and Support in Scotland: A Framework for Action 2020-2025 has now been published.
Framework Aims
The Scottish Government have clearly defined their vision which is supported by several aims:
Framework Commitments
To achieve the ambitious aims, the Scottish Government has pledged to 17 commitments.
The 17 commitments are ambitious and should improve neurological care across Scotland.
However, we are particularly supportive of the following commitments:
2 – Raise awareness of the information and resources available on neurological conditions by working with stakeholders.
10 – Work with the Neurological Alliance of Scotland and other stakeholders to explore the potential of national care frameworks and also how these can inform neurological care and support.
12 – Ensure there is a cohesive approach to capturing the needs of people with a neurological condition and will:
• improve the recording of neurological conditions in people’s routine health and care records, so that they are visible to appropriate services;
• enable more accurate population-level estimates of the prevalence of neurological conditions to inform other data analysis; and
• support the development of systems and processes for service planning and workforce development, based on these improved prevalence estimates.
13 – Support neurological research by:
• promoting the work of the Chief Scientist Office, third sector organisations’ research and also Scottish neurological research networks;
• encouraging opportunities for people with neurological conditions to become involved in research trials; and
• highlighting the need for further qualitative research on the impact of living with a neurological condition. As well as, the identification of outcome measures that are meaningful to people who use care and support across the neurological community.
16 – Test how national workforce planning solutions can help address capacity challenges for the neurological workforce.
By improving workforce data, analysis, modelling and scenario planning to facilitate more effective and targeted recruitment into hard to fill posts in neurology, neurophysiology, neuroradiology and neuro-rehabilitation.
Future of the Framework
Joe Fitzpatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, has announced £4.5 million funding to support the implementation of the Framework.
We are regularly in touch with the National Implementation Lead, who is working across sectors and departments to implement the Framework.
So far, we are happy with the progress.
Finally, we hope a national epilepsy register will be established through Commitment 12.
This is a vital step to improve knowledge about epilepsy and also pinpoint needs for clinical improvement.
What are your thoughts on the new Framework? Get in touch via social media or email rjohnson@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
