1 November 2007 Quality Neurology

The MS Society, Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and Ataxia UK have joined together to develop an audit methodology based on the National Service Framework (NSF) for Long Term (neurological) Conditions (LTC) which will put people affected by long term conditions at the centre of the process

Quality Neurology is funded by the partners with grant support from the Department of Health (DH) and neurological charities who are members of the Neurological Alliance have also indicated their support.

The project has attracted interest from the Healthcare Commission , Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), and Care Services Improvement Programme (CSIP).

Amanda Hutchinson, Head of the Long-term Conditions and Older People’s Strategy team at the Healthcare Commission, says “I am very pleased that this project is going forward, and look forward to working with the team”.

The audit methodology will measure multi-organisational progress against the NSF, in selected Health & Social Care economies, with service users and carers being at the centre of the assessment process.

The scheme will provide a consistent framework for Health and Social care services to audit themselves against the 11 Quality Requirements of the NSF for Long-term Conditions and instigate a dynamic improvement programme over the longer-term.

The project will be evaluated by the Social Policy Research Unit at York University and will inform the development of the audit tool from current research evidence and best practice. Up to 10 pilot sites for the audit tool will be established (six being co-terminus with the benchmarked sites in the York University research on benchmarking best practice).

The project’s sponsor, Barbara Williams, Director of Operations, MS Society, states “Quality Neurology is expected to be a high profile and influential project. We are determined to deliver an excellent programme of work that engages a broad range of people in influencing service providers and improving care. It is an important project for all the partners who want to see quality standards in the NSF implemented to improve outcomes for people living with long term neurological conditions.”

The project is funded for two years and is due to be completed by April 2009.

ENDS

For more information about the project, contact Sheila Lakey, Project Manager on: 07834 162479 or email: slakey@mssociety.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

About Ataxia UK:
• The ataxias are a group of disorders of the nervous system progressively affecting co-ordination. The most common symptoms are a staggering gait, balance problems, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, swallowing problems and double or blurred vision. Symptoms may lead to total physical dependency.
• Some 10,000 adults in the UK have ataxia. The number of children and young people under the age of 18 with the condition is still unknown. People of any age may be affected, from babies to adults. Many forms of ataxia are inherited. There is currently no cure, and little that can be done to relieve symptoms.
• Ataxia UK (http://www.ataxia.org.uk) is a registered charity providing services and support for people with ataxia, their families, friends and carers. We fund world-class research to develop safe, effective treatments. Ataxia UK Helpline: 0845 644 0606

About the MS Society
• The MS Society (www.mssociety.org.uk) is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched by MS, providing respite care, an award-winning freephone helpline (0808 800 8000), specialist MS nurses and funds around 50 vital MS research projects in the UK.
• Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disorder affecting young adults and an estimated 85,000 people in the UK have MS.
• MS is the result of damage to myelin – the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system – which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.
• For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.
• Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.

About Motor Neurone Disease Society
• Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressive, fatal illness.
It leaves people unable to walk, talk or feed themselves, but intellect is rarely affected.

• With no cure, half die within 14 months of diagnosis.

• The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland working to help people with MND secure the care and support they need, while also promoting research into causes, treatments and a cure.

• About the Parkinson’s Disease Society
• Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition affecting movements such as walking, talking, and writing.

• Parkinson's occurs as result of a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain known as the substantia nigra. These cells are responsible for producing a chemical known as dopamine, which allows messages to be sent to the parts of the brain that co-ordinate movement. With the depletion of dopamine-producing cells, these parts of the brain are unable to function normally.
• The Parkinson's Disease Society is the leading charity dedicated to supporting all people with Parkinson's, their families, friends and carers

For the latest news from Ataxia UK and to join our media mailing list, contact Ataxia UK Press Officer Barnaby Levy on 020 7582 1444 pressoffice@ataxia.org.uk.