This site is intended for health professionals only

Inequalities found in neurological commissioning

Inequalities found in neurological commissioning

15 January 2015

Share this story:


There are significant variations in the quality of neurological services commissioned across the country claims a report.

Published by the Neurological Alliance, The Invisible Patient:Revealing the states of neurologyfound that only 14.7% of CCGs have assessed the local cost associated to the provision of neurology services,20.4% have assessed the number of people using

There are significant variations in the quality of neurological services commissioned across the country claims a report.

Published by the Neurological Alliance, The Invisible Patient:Revealing the states of neurologyfound that only 14.7% of CCGs have assessed the local cost associated to the provision of neurology services,20.4% have assessed the number of people using

neurological services and 26.2% have assessed the prevalence of neurological conditions within their area. Only 33% of CCGs obtain vital feedback from patients in regards to the neurological services they commission.

The research comes from Freedom of Information (FOI) audits of every UK CCG and a survey of 7,000 patients across the country.

Commenting on the study, the Neurological Alliance’s Chief Executive, Arlene Wilkie, said: “This report must be seen as a wake-up call. For far too long, people living with neurological conditions have been ‘invisible patients’, ignored and let down by an unresponsive health and care system. Commissioners are failing to carry out vital tasks for neurology, from need and prevalence assessments to ensuring patient engagement and feedback. As a result, there is no strategic approach to improving pathways and outcomes for people with neurological conditions, and their care is suffering.

“This must change. At a time when NHS England is planning to expand CCGs’ commissioning responsibilities for neurology, it has never been more important for local commissioners to actively improve their engagement with and understanding of neurological conditions. We need urgent action now, so that the millions of people with neurological conditions receive the care they need and deserve.”

Want news like this straight to your inbox?

Related news

ICSs breach £650m overspend in six months
ICBs must sign-off GP access plans to allocate £73.8m
Integrated care boards (ICBs) must agree and sign-off GP networks’ access improvement plans by 12...
‘Divisive’ purchaser-provider split to end as ICBs take charge
MPs call for review into ICB membership
The Government should review integrated care board (ICB) membership to ensure each board adequately represents...