Latest news - July 2010
Radical and far-reaching NHS reform announced
 A new White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, was published on 12th July and sets out the government's long term vision for the NHS. It aims to:
- put patients at the heart of everything the NHS does
- focus on continuously improving healthcare outcomes
- empower and liberate clinicians to innovate, with the freedom to focus on improving healthcare services
The Department of Health is consulting on elements of the proposals and details on how to respond can be found in the White Paper, copies of which can be obtained via this link.
Download a four page summary of the White Paper prepared by the Long Term Conditions Delivery Support Team here Read the King's Fund's response to the White Paper here
South West Specialist Commissioning Group
The South West Neuromuscular Network is holding a free information sharing
event for people with a neuromuscular conditions and their carers in Taunton on Wednesday 15 September 2010. Download a flyer here.
For further information please contact the newtork administrator by phone on 0117 330 2597 or by email: swscg.neuromuscular@nhs.net
NB Please note that the network does not cover multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or motor neurone disease.
How should we define who is a ‘carer'?
A team at King's College London has been commissioned by the Department of health to try and find a suitable definition for the terms ‘carer' and ‘respite care'. They are keen to hear from anyone caring for somebody with a neurological condition and for them to complete a brief online survey. If you would like to take part please follow this link
Free fitness course in Cornwall - 2010 programme announced
Due to the success of Cornwall PCT's free fitness programmes in 2009 a new programme for 2010 has been announced. Find out more information here
The new coalition's programme for government
Read the newly-published programme for government here
Building the National Care Service
The White Paper Building the National Care Service was published on 30 March 2010. It sets out the Government's plans for the creation of a National Care Service for all adults in England. More info here ......
New specialist Myasthenia Nurse for Southhampton
The Myasthenia Gravis Association has provided initial funding for the establishment of a specialist Myasthenia Nurse, to support the Myasthenia Clinic and its patients as part of the service offered by Southampton General Hospital's Wessex Neurological Centre. This is one of a number of posts which the MGA has assisted in creating at neurological centres throughout the UK .
The new nurse is Lisa Joyce and she can be contacted by phone on 07747 473769 and by email: myasthenia@suht.swest.nhs.uk.
Important Care Quality Commission consultation
In February the Care Quality Commision published a consultation Assessment of quality in 2010/11, which includes neurology as one of the subjects for their future special review programme. This represents an important opportunity. Further information here ......
National Carers' Survey
- Do you spend several hours a day caring for an adult aged 18-65 years old with a long term neurological condition?
- Would you like to influence change in services that allow carers to take a break?
If the answer to both of these questions is "yes" then a Kings College research team would like to hear from you. They have been commissioned by the Department of Health to find out about carers' need for and experience of replacement care services (also known as respite care). They would like carers to complete a survey to help them do this. If you are interested further details are available on their website at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/medicine/depts/palliative/arp/eval/carers.html
Devon news
New specialist Parkinson's nursing service in Devon started by the PCT with financial support from PDS. For further info contact Lee Baxter on lee.baxter@nhs.net
Neurological study day 8th February 2010
South Wiltshire Special Interest Group for
progressive neurological conditions invite you to 'Neurology Matters', a study day aimed at providing a basic overview of some of the most common neurological conditions. Download flyer and booking form here.
Gloucestershire news
Neurological Commissioning Support (a joint initiative between MSS, MNDA and PDS), is completing a review of all neurological services in the county. For further info contact Mike McKevitt on mike.mckevitt@mndassociation.org
Two additional Parkinson's Disease Nurse specialist posts have been established by the PCT with financial support from the PDS - currently being recruited. For further info contact Geoff King on gking@parkinsons.org.uk
New research from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care
View a South West PCT by PCT breakdown of shortfalls in spending of government funds allocated for breaks for carers. More info here
North Somerset news
A review of Quality Requirements for NSF for LTNCs is underway. For further info contact Ruth Gazzane on Ruth.Gazzane@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk
Planning care: the patient's perspective
This new report from the Royal College of Nursing and National Voices by Patient View highlights the value of service user involvement at every stage of care planning. Download a copy of the report here
Prevalence figures for MS revised upwards
New research released by the MS Society shows that there are likely to be around 100,000 people with MS in the UK - a 20 per cent increase on previous estimates. This suggests that there are likely to be in excess of 9,000 people living with MS in the SW. More info..>>
Monitoring NSF implementation
SWANO is currently helping the national Neurological Alliance to monitor progress on implementation of the Long-term (Neurological) Conditions National Service Framework (NSF) in the South West. The results will be published on the SWANO website and elsewhere in due course.
PCTs can complete the online survey here.
Levers for Change - 1st May, Taunton
In partnership with the SW Long Term Conditions Team SWANO helped to make the Levers for Change event in Taunton a great success. All presentations from the event can be downloaded from here
SWANO joins national Neurological Alliance
SWANO has joined the Neurological Alliance (NA), a national organisation campaigning to ensure that everyone with a neurological condition can access high-quality services and good information from their first symptoms, throughout their life. Website: www.neural.org.uk
SWANO working with Great Western Ambulance Service
Knowledge of individual neurological conditions amongst ambulance staff is variable and, despite best intentions, personnel are not always fully aware of the complexities of some of the conditions encountered. SWANO is working currently with the Great Western Ambulance Service to support its staff in working with people with different conditions. Watch this space for latest developments.
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