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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S6W-33338

  • Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
  • Date lodged: 15 January 2025
  • Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 January 2025

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to advance professional expertise in the training of neurologists in (a) immunology and (b) virology, and what action it is taking to improve the integration of neurological practice with these specialities.


Answer

Neurology trainees are provided with training in immunology and virology. The curriculum for neurology training, published by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board, includes Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) on managing inflammatory and infectious disorders.

These CiPs make clear expectations upon neurology trainees regarding:

  • understanding of the underlying anatomy and pathophysiology of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the nervous system, including the treatments and their side effects
  • ability to select, request and interpret relevant investigations including serology, genetic testing, imaging of the brain and spine, neurophysiology, tissue culture and histology in order to diagnose and manage such disorders
  • ability to work with other relevant clinicians both in treating and monitoring patients and in referring them to other disciplines as appropriate.

There is robust educational Governance through NHS Education Scotland (NES) for neurology training in Scotland. NES does not consider it necessary to require neurologists to be experts in either immunology or virology, but to be able to clinically assess, investigate and manage people with neuroimmunological conditions and neuroinfectious disease using an evidence-based approach.