Support for people with neurological conditions

A total of 16 projects which support people with neurological conditions will benefit from a second round of funding to help drive the delivery  of a five-year action plan. 

The investment of £734,420 will go towards innovative projects which harness new techniques and technology to help people living with neurological conditions, including a healthy ageing hub developed by Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland to improve self-management among adults affected by the condition.

Funding has also been given to social care charity Quarriers to develop a programme to empower people with complex epilepsy to make informed decisions about their own care and helping them gain increased resilience and confidence.

Many of the funded activities see NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and Third Sector organisations working in partnership to achieve better outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.

The ‘Neurological care and support: framework for action - 2020 to 2025’ aims to ensure people can access personalised care and support regardless of their condition or where in Scotland they live.

Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon said: 

“Around one million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition and the Neurological Framework provides a clear vision for those affected to be able to access the care and support they need to live well, on their own terms.

“The latest round of funding builds on this programme of work by supporting those responsible for providing care and support to people affected. These innovative projects seek to ensure seamless access to high quality and co-ordinated health, social care and third sector support in the right place at the right time.

“Despite the challenges COVID-19 has brought this past year, implementing the commitments of the Neurological Framework remains a priority and the grants awarded will further strengthen this vital work.”

Background

Funding recipients

The Neurological care and support: framework for action - 2020 to 2025 contains five overarching aims and 17 commitments to support improvements that span health and social care. The framework and commitments are not condition-specific, and funded projects have been assessed against criteria which includes transferability and their potential to be scaled wider.

The five aims are to:

• ensure people and their carers are partners in their care and support
• improve the provision of co-ordinated health and social care and support for people with neurological conditions
• ensure high standards of effective, person-centred and safe care and support
• ensure equitable and timely access to care and support across Scotland
• build a sustainable neurological workforce for the future

This is a five-year plan which will run until 2025 supported by £4.5 million.