Question reference: S4W-07135
- Asked by: Paul Wheelhouse, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 10 May 2012
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Current status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 21 May 2012
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place across all NHS boards for diagnosing and treating Dystonia.
Answer
A key way of improving healthcare services is by implementing clinical standards. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has developed clinical standards for neurological health services, including generic standards which are applicable to people living with dystonia. Implementation of the standards dealing with the early part of the patient journey, including access to specialist neurological services, will help to ensure people with dystonia receive timely diagnosis and treatment.
We have provided NHS boards with funding of around £1.2 million over the last two years to assist them in developing local improvement groups as the main vehicles for implementing the standards and driving further improvements within neurological services across Scotland. Good progress is being made, although there is more to do.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s two-year Neurological Service Improvement programme came to an end recently in March. We wish to see NHS boards continue to work together with the voluntary sector to build on the progress made and put service improvement on a sustainable footing.
The Scottish Government has therefore provided the Neurological Alliance of Scotland, of which the Dystonia Society is a member, with £40,000, to establish a National Advisory Group, which we hope will oversee and support boards as they take their improvement plans forward.