National Outcomes Strategy for Neurological Conditions

I realise that many neurological conditions can cause varied symptoms and can often have debilitating and life-long effects on sufferers. I am happy to confirm therefore that the Government has welcomed the National Audit Office report.

While people suffering with neurological conditions should have access to equal and high quality standards of care, the Government has no plans to produce a separate national outcomes strategy specifically for long-term neurological conditions. However, the Government does recognise that more needs to be done to improve neurological services. That is why the Government and the Department of Health are working to produce a generic national outcome strategy for long-term conditions. This would include neurological conditions.

This strategy will look at all of the aspects that impact on the lives of people with long-term conditions, and outline how Government departments, local authorities, charities and individuals can act in future in order to improve outcomes for sufferers. The strategy will be published in late 2012.

Finally, I can confirm that the Government intends to work closely with the third sector, patient and carer groups, the NHS, social services and others to ensure that the strategy takes account of their views.