National Service Framework for long term conditions
I have recently come across the governments ‘National service framework for people with long term conditions’ and discussed it’s implications with someone who was very helpful from the neurological alliance. Our experience’s so far have taught us that having brain injury is not just impossible both physically, mentally and emotionally but many of the procedures you go through and the lack of high standards you see can leave you banging your head against a wall. Therefore any government initiatives in this area are of direct interest to me and Anita. The government is to be applauded for such initiatives however it’s probably only as a result of the pressure brought to bear by organisations such as the neurological alliance.
From our perspective we will have to see how these quality guidelines are implemented in practice! Personally I still feel that the government is long on initiatives but short on the resources to back them up. One particular rant that I have is with regard to the lack of neurophysios in this country. How can you get people to make independent recommendations when they are fully aware of the resource implications. You can read more about the NSF quality requirements.
Quality requirement 1: A person-centred service
People with long-term neurological conditions are offered integrated assessment and planning of their health and social care needs. They are to have the information they need to make informed decisions about their care and treatment and, where appropriate, to support them to manage their condition themselves.
Quality requirement 2: Early recognition, prompt diagnosis and treatment
People suspected of having a neurological condition are to have prompt access to specialist neurological expertise for an accurate diagnosis and treatment as close to home as possible.
Quality requirement 3: Emergency and acute management
People needing hospital admission for a neurosurgical or neurological emergency are to be assessed and treated in a timely manner by teams with the appropriate neurological and resuscitation skills and facilities.
Quality requirement 4: Early and specialist rehabilitation
People with long-term neurological conditions who would benefit from rehabilitation are to receive timely, ongoing, high quality rehabilitation services in hospital or other specialist settings to meet their continuing and changing needs. When ready, they are to receive the help they need to return home for ongoing community rehabilitation and support.
Quality requirement 5: Community rehabilitation and support
People with long-term neurological conditions living at homeii are to have ongoing access to a comprehensive range of rehabilitation, advice and support to meet their continuing and changing needs, increase their independence and autonomy and help them to live as they wish.
Quality requirement 6: Vocational rehabilitation
People with long-term neurological conditions are to have access to appropriate vocational assessment, rehabilitation and ongoing support, to enable them to find, regain or remain in work and access other occupational and educational opportunities.
Quality requirement 7: Providing equipment and accommodation
People with long-term neurological conditions are to receive timely, appropriate assistive technology/equipment and adaptations to accommodation to support them to live independently, help them with their care, maintain their health and improve their quality of life.
Quality requirement 8: Providing personal care and support
Health and social care services work together to provide care and support to enable people with long-term neurological conditions to achieve maximum choice about living independently at home.
Quality requirement 9: Palliative care
People in the later stages of longterm neurological conditions are to receive a comprehensive range of palliative care services when they need them to control symptoms, offer pain relief, and meet their needs for personal, social, psychological and spiritual support, in line with the principles of palliative care.
Quality requirement 10: Supporting family and carers
Carers of people with long-term neurological conditions are to have access to appropriate support and services that recognise their needs both in their role as carer and in their own right.
Quality requirement 11: Caring for people with neurological conditions in hospital or other health and social care settings
People with long-term neurological conditions are to have their specific neurological needs met while receiving treatment or care for other reasons in any health or social care setting.