Postcode lottery of care in Scotland

The Neurological Alliance of Scotland, an alliance of over thirty charities including the MS Society, has warned of a postcode lottery of care for thousands of people following a new report into neurological services in Scotland.

The charity is now urging health boards and the Scottish government to commit to ensuring that implementation of the neurological standards continues, after the report showed health boards were failing to meet many of the health service’s standards for neurological care.

Emergency admissions

Approximately one million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition – such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and MND - and such conditions account for one in every eight emergency admissions to hospital.

Despite improvements over the last two years, many people living with these conditions are still unable to access the support they need.

Keeping focus

Commenting on the report, Craig Stockton, Chair of the Alliance said: “Whilst we welcome the progress made over the past two years by health boards, the report clearly shows that there are many challenges ahead. Much more needs to be done to develop neurology services so that patients in Scotland are able to access the care that they need and deserve.  

"Through our involvement in the establishment of a national neurology advisory group, the Alliance is committed to ensuring that the health boards keep their focus firmly on neurological services and that the work of the last two years is built upon and not just forgotten about.”

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