Health services for people with neurological conditions in England are not good enough, says a report from a committee of MPs.
It
criticises poorly co-ordinated local services, patchy hospital care and
long delays in diagnosing conditions like Parkinson's disease and
epilepsy.
More than four million people have a neurological condition but few have a care plan, the report says.
The Department of Health said it would consider the recommendations.
The
MPs say their report should be taken as a wake-up call, to improve
services for what can be devastating or even fatal conditions.
They
describe the impact of disparities, for example, in epilepsy care: in
south-west Lincolnshire nearly nine out of 10 patients were seizure-free
for 12 months, while in Hull and north Manchester it was fewer than
five out of 10.
The report recommends that NHS England find a way of
tackling the problem of variation in services and explain how it will
offer everyone with a long-term condition a personalised care plan.
It
also urges NHS England to make better use of the 650 consultant
neurologists in England, as well as other specialist nurses, to improve
access to care for patients.
Meg
Hiller MP, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: "Strong,
consistent leadership and accountability are crucial if patients are to
see sustained improvements to services and more effective use of the
resources available."
She added: "This must start with
improvements in planning, co-ordination and the use of data and we will
be holding the Department and NHS England to account for this in the
months and indeed years ahead."
Although some progress has been
made since a previous report in 2012 made recommendations aimed at
improving neurological services in England, the report said changes have
"not yet led to improvements in services and outcomes for patients".
The
committee says it is concerned that neurological conditions are "not a
priority" for the Department of Health and NHS England.
Arlene Wilkie, chief executive of the Neurological Alliance, said neurology services need urgent attention.
'Latest technology'
"We
urge NHS England and the Department of Health to act quickly to ensure
that everyone living with a neurological condition receives a
high-quality, accessible service."
She also said she was pleased
that the committee agreed that cutting the role of national clinical
director for adult neurology would be a mistake.
A Department of
Health spokesman said it was committed to giving patients with
neurological conditions the very best care, regardless of where they
lived.
"We spend over £3bn every year on neurological services, we
have set up a new children's national epilepsy service and we are
making sure patients with progressive neurological diseases can access
the latest technology to help them communicate.
"But we know that
more can be done and, along with NHS England, we will consider these
recommendations and respond in due course."
