NSF on long-term conditions launched

Faster diagnosis and more rapid treatment was today promised to
the 10 million people in the UK with long-term neurological
conditions by community care minister Stephen Ladyman,
writes Clare Jerrom.

The National Service Framework for long-term conditions was
launched today to help people with conditions such as
Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone
disease live independent lives.

“Investing in rehabilitation services and flexible
packages of care and support will help people live more
independently and be a more cost effective way of providing
services,” said Ladyman.

Services outlined in the NSF for people with long term
conditions include:-

• Joint health and social care plans that change over
time

• Self-referrals to allow people to refer themselves if their
care needs change

• A named contact for every individual to have a single point
of access to services

• Rehabilitation, equipment and personal care to help people
live independently at home.

Marilyn Ekers, who has MS and who brought a service user’s
perspective to the External Reference Group which helped advise the
development of the NSF, said: “I hope the NSF raises
standards of care, and gives everyone with long-term neurological
conditions quicker and easier access to services when they need
them.”

 

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