Question reference: S6W-09419
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 28 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to act on new research published by Epilepsy Scotland, which highlights reported significant caseloads of more than 1,000 patients for many Epilepsy Specialist Nurses across Scotland and a 15% reduction in such nurses since 2021.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with epilepsy are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.
That is why in 2019 we published a Neurological Care and Support – National Framework for Action 2020-25, which sets out a vision that everyone with a neurological condition, including epilepsy, can access the care and support they need to live well, on their own terms. Since October 2020, we have invested £324,500 in funding via the Framework to projects that specifically improve the health and wellbeing of people with epilepsy in Scotland.
The Scottish Government and COSLA published a National Workforce Strategy on 11 March 2022. The Strategy commits to publishing new workforce projections in the autumn, once we have had the opportunity to consider Health Board and Health and Social Care Partnerships' three year workforce plans. The staffing needs for services and professional specialities across NHS Scotland such as epilepsy care will be, in partnership with stakeholders, factored into the development of these projections. As part of this work, we are actively listening to colleagues to understand where the current pressures are, and what actions can be taken to mitigate their impact on staff. Decisions on local staffing requirements are, however, the responsibility of individual NHS Boards.