Gaps in specialist help for patients with neurological conditions leads to ‘needless suffering’

JODY HARRISON

PEOPLE with neurological disorders are suffering needlessly because of a lack of proper care across Scotland, a report has said.

A study by the health and social care charity Sue Ryder found that only five of Scotland’s health boards and five local authorities have a specialist services in place to deal with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease.

The report says there is an “urgent” need to not only improve community care and support but to ensure those people who need to move into a care home get the right kind of specialist neurological care.

Pamela MacKenzie, director of Neurological Services and Scotland at Sue Ryder, said: “Neurological conditions can strike anyone, at any time, having a massive impact on them and their families. As well as coping with the financial and emotional burden they also have to face a difficult struggle to get the specialist care they need in their own home or in residential care.”

She added: “To put this right, the Scottish Government needs to show leadership and put in place a strategy for all the health and social care services that people with neurological conditions need. Otherwise they will continue to feel written off.”

Minister for Public Health Aileen Campbell said: “We want to ensure that people living with neurological conditions have consistent access to the best possible care and support, which is why we have started the development of Scotland’s first national action plan on neurological conditions.

“Whilst this work is at an early stage, the new plan will support the development of new neurological condition care standards.”