Integrated policy making in England for adults with long-term neurological conditions (LTNCs): some preliminary findings from a scoping study

• Published in: International journal of integrated care 2008-07, Vol.8 (3), p.e60-e60
• Main Authors: Bernard, Sylvia, Aspinal, Fiona, Gridley, Kate, Parker, Gillian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Continuity of care; health and well-being; integrated care; Integrated delivery systems; long-term neurological conditions; National service; Neurology; Older people; Personal health; Policy; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1568-4156; 1568-4156
• DOI: 10.5334/ijic.247

Long-term neurological conditions are a major cause of disability in the UK and internationally. Their successful management, in order to enhance health and well-being, requires both sophisticated organisation across a number of health, social care and other service boundaries, and the real involvement of people with neurological conditions and members of their support networks. This paper reports on part of the preliminary scoping phase of a study designed to evaluate the impact of the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions on integrated care. It describes current policies in England and reports on discussions with a range of people involved in the planning, provision or use of services, which took place during the scoping exercise. These interviews inform how policy affecting people with long-term neurological conditions has been received and implemented so far. Findings suggest that progress towards integrated service provision is patchy and slow. In the competing priorities within government policy, neurological conditions have tended to be marginalised, within healthcare policy generally and in initiatives to support people with long-term conditions in particular. The reasons for this are explored and will inform the next stages of the research.