Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle unwarranted variation in (a) treatment of, (b) care and (c) support for people with neurological conditions.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) develops evidence-based guidance for healthcare professionals on best practice in the health and care system, supporting improved patient outcomes and reducing variation. NICE has produced a range of guidance on neurological conditions which clinicians and commissioners are expected to take into account.
The National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG) is developing optimum clinical pathways for people with neurological conditions. The pathways will support the improvement of treatment, care and support services, setting out aspirations for good care and commissioning of neurological services locally and nationally.
The NNAG has worked with NHS RightCare to publish two toolkits, specifically on progressive neurological conditions and epilepsy. The toolkits prioritise faster and more accurate diagnoses, collaborative working between different disciplines and an increase in the availability of neuro-rehabilitation, reablement and psychosocial support. New triage processes have been introduced to ensure patients receive the care they need, with more patients now seen in outpatient settings closer to home. In addition, the Department has announced the development of a cross-Government strategy on acquired brain injury. The strategy will be informed by a call for evidence which will invite views on whether other related neurological conditions should also be included.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to work with neurological charities and patients to restore and improve neurology services.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement work with the National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG), a neurological collaborative group of professional bodies, patient groups and national and local policy and commissioning leads, to design and deliver plans to improve neurological care. This includes the Neurological Alliance which is comprised of 70 charity partners.
The NNAG has engaged with patients, patient groups and charities, clinicians, expert bodies, and commissioners in order to address the challenges faced by neurology services. The NNAG has published ‘Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic’, which sets out the pandemic’s impact on neurological care and how the healthcare system can begin to recover services.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury on a multi-year funding envelope for training for neurology professionals.
Answered by Edward Argar
Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, plans for individual National Health Service workforce budgets in England, including for training neurology professionals, will be subject to a detailed financial planning exercise and finalised in due course. Through this exercise, the Department has held discussions with HM Treasury and will continue to do so until a settlement has been achieved.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to increase access to new medicines for people with progressive forms of MS.
Answered by Edward Argar
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether licenced medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE appraises all new medicines, including for multiple sclerosis and is committed, wherever possible, to publishing draft guidance at the time of licensing with final guidance published within three months of licensing.
NICE has published guidance recommending a number of medicines for multiple sclerosis for routine use on the NHS. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE.