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Head injury patients miss out |
Thousands of patients with head injuries are missing out on the NHS care they need.
Official figures show experts estimate 3,500 patients each year are sent to inappropriate wards or moved too early after surgery.The data emerged as a national plan for the care of people with long-term neurological conditions in England was launched.
Health ministers said the National Service Framework would lead to improvements in care and treatment.The framework focuses on illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and epilepsy but will apply to other chronic conditions where possible.
Patients are to receive personal care plans to allow them a greater say in their treatment, better diagnosis and improved access to services, it said.About 10m people in the UK have a neurological condition.They account for one fifth of hospital admissions, and are the third most common reason for seeing a GP.
'Seamless service' aim
The NSF also outlines improvements needed for the care of people with head injuries - more than a million people attend A&E each year with such injuries, which are a major cause of death in people under 40.
The National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions, published on Thursday, will be used as a benchmark on which to judge services.
The plan outlines a range of "quality requirements" for NHS agencies.
It will also place a greater emphasis on allowing patients to receive care in community settings, rather than hospitals.The NHS has also been told to work more closely with the voluntary sector and community groups which offer support to people with neurological conditions.
And the health service, social services and specialist neuroscience centres must provide joined-up seamless services, it said.Patients are also being promised "timely, ongoing, high quality rehabilitation services" if they need them.
Health Secretary John Reid said: "The framework will make a real difference to the many millions of people living with painful and often debilitating long-term neurological conditions by giving them choice in how their care is delivered with services that are planned around their needs."
Attention
Jo Webber, policy manager of the NHS Confederation, which represents health service managers, said all agencies involved in care of the long-term ill needed to work together to improve care.
But she also said she hoped the plan would be used as a "blueprint for better treatment for all long-term conditions", which include a variety of disease from diabetes to cancer.
Diana Whitworth, a former chief executive of Carers UK and chair of an expert group which advised the government on the framework, said the plan would be judged on the extent to which quality of life is improved.
"The framework is not just about improved access to better diagnosis and treatment, its about how we better support individuals to live with the condition, participate in family life and be active members of their communities."
David Pink, chief executive of the Long-term Conditions Medical Alliance, an umbrella group for voluntary organisations, said: "The challenge now is to turn national guidance into a reality that will benefit the lives of everyone in this country living with a long-term condition."
Mike O'Donovan, of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, said: "At long last we are moving towards a proper balance of health and social care services tailored to the needs of the individual from the time of diagnosis.
"The big challenge now is to match promise with delivery. Neurologists, other healthcare professionals and care workers are thin on the ground.
"It will not be an easy task."
Christine Jones, of the MS Trust, agreed: "The NSF can only make a tangible difference to the lives of people with neurological conditions if the necessary resources are in place to implement it effectively."
Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive for Epilepsy Action, warned: "The quality requirements will not be achievable unless there is a huge investment in more specialist nurses and doctors, and clear ways of monitoring progress across all quality standards."
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "This report does not change the fact that NHS organisations lack necessary resources, skills and workforce required to deliver services for the 17million people who suffer from long-term conditions."
If You Have Suffered a road traffic accident, whiplash injury, accident at work, medical negligence, faulty goods, criminal injury, slip or trip, industrial injury, accident in a public place or would just like some advice, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 08000 194 737
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