NCS is currently working on a review of neurological services across both health and social care with NHS Surrey and Surrey Country Council. The review covers MS, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, acquired brain injury and epilepsy.
“NCS’s input and support has made a significant difference to our understanding of commissioning of neurology services. Their involvement enabled us to develop the first neurology-specific chapter for the Surrey JSNA and develop an integrated strategy working with other agencies and across all relevant stakeholders.
NCS has facilitated an environment of shared-decision making, and supplied us with the tools and understanding we need to take action on those decisions. We commend both their approach and expertise, and would recommend to colleagues and peers that this same approach be utilised elsewhere.”
Julie Gardner, Service Development Manager: Long Term Conditions and Whole Systems Redesign, NHS Surrey
Identifying ‘complex’ patients and using telehealth
The commissioners we’ve been working with are about to include neurology in local complex care pathways for the first time. Their first step will be to use the risk stratification tool ArtemisICS to identify patients likely to be admitted into hospital over the next year.
These people will be given a case manager or specialist nurse, put into a virtual ward and given an iPad to keep them closely monitored.
NICE audits completed
We’ve also completed audits of how far Parkinson’s and epilepsy services are meeting NICE guidelines. The audits are currently in write-up stage.
JSNA published
NHS Surrey published a neurological conditions chapter in its Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) as a direct result of this commissioning support project. This is a great step forward and means neurology really is moving up the agenda locally!
A JSNA pulls together in a single, ongoing process all the information available about what local people need and major issues that need to be addressed.
The Surrey JSNA outlines the level of need in the area, plus unmet need and service gaps. It lists a series of recommendations for how clinical commissioners can improve this picture and better meet the needs of their local population. Read it in full here.
NCS audit of local services
In late 2010 NCS carried out an audit of health and social care services using our Quality Neurology audit and evaluation tool. This involved a number of focus groups and interviews with service users and carers, as well as in-depth audit days with professionals.
Given the large population in Surrey (1,100,700) and in preparation for the newly-forming commissioning groups, the audit was split across three areas: Central and East, Northwest, and Southwest.
In November 2010 we ran an update event for over 80 service users, carers and professionals, where we shared the results of the audit, identified key priorities and discussed what action to take.
