In November 2021, the Government announced an additional £375 million of investment over the next five years to improve our understanding and treatment of various neurodegenerative conditions. Alongside this, the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to developing a cross-department strategy to address the issues faced by people living with acquired brain injury (ABI).
A call for evidence around the strategy took place at the start of 2022, and people affected by ABI were invited to put forward their views on priorities and focus. Issues covered in the strategy could include guidance to prevent ABI and research into causes, and whether other neurological conditions should be included. I will follow developments closely.
As set out in the NHS England Roadmap for integrating specialised services within integrated care systems, integrated care boards (ICBs) have, from April 2023, delegated responsibility for the commissioning of specialised neurosciences services. Integrating the commissioning of neurosciences services with ICBs will allow local systems to simplify and strengthen care pathways with other services through effective local partnerships, ensuring continuity for patients and improved health outcomes.
NHS England has also established the Neuroscience Transformation Programme, a multi-year, clinically-led programme aimed at improving specialised adult neuroscience services in England and developing a new model of integrated care for neurology services.
To support systems to understand the priorities in neurology care and improve service quality, NHS England has developed the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit. The Toolkit supports improvements to pathways for progressive neurological patients, ensuring that commissioners focus on quicker and more accurate diagnoses and increasing the availability of neurorehabilitation, reablement, and psychosocial support.
Later this year, NHS England will develop a Long Term Workforce Plan, which will include independently verified forecasts for the number of healthcare professionals required in future years. I understand that the plan will include those professions who work with patients with Parkinson’s Disease and other long-term neurological conditions.