Neurological care and support - framework for action 2020-2025: midpoint progress report

Ministerial Foreword

We published the first overarching national strategy for neurological care in Scotland in late 2019. Neurological Care and Support in Scotland: a Framework for Action 2020-2025 has a vision to ensure everyone with a neurological condition can access the care and support they need to live their life well, on their own terms. The Framework was developed in co-production with partners and stakeholders, securing widespread support.

We have a sustained commitment to people living with a neurological condition demonstrated through this framework. £2.1 million has been awarded to projects to improve the quality of care and support since the Framework was launched. Continued engagement with the neurology community – health and social care, patients, carers and the third sector – is critical in wider adoption and sustaining the improvements in care that have been brought about.

This report provides an overview of progress since the launch of the Framework in December 2019 and marks the half way point to this five year strategy. There have been numerous challenges since its launch. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed initial progress. Many projects funded to improve care have faced challenges of COVID-19 recovery, recruiting staff, or engagement from teams or departments with numerous competing priorities. Yet we have managed to demonstrate some substantial changes, such as supporting better self-management of care for patients, innovative use of digital technologies for neurology to support a range of conditions, and more co-ordinated care. With the right commitment, these will bring about lasting changes to neurological services across Scotland particularly as services continue to re-mobilise, recover and, re-design.

I would like to express my recognition and appreciation to the chair of our National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions, Baroness Stephanie Fraser of Craigmaddie, vice-chairs Jenny Preston MBE and Susan Walker, previous chair Dr Richard Davenport, and the many others who have supported and contributed to this work.

Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Public Health, Women's Health, and Sport