HIS Clinical Standards :: Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services

Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (formerly NHS Quality Improvement Scotland) launched the Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services at an event in January 2010 along with their plan for implementation.

The implementation of the clinical standards is currently underway with the projects Implementation and Advisory Group chaired by Alliance Chair Andy Wynd and with further representation by the Alliance National Coordinator.

The work for the Neurological Services Implementation and Improvement Support Programme at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, a two year programme which is supporting all NHS Boards to improve their local neurological health services and achieve the Clinical Standards is delivered by the Programme Manager, Clinical Advisor, HIS project team and supported by the Standards Advisory group. This is a new approach to support delivery of the standards through implementation and improvement support.

All NHS Boards have appointed a Health Improvement Lead who is responsible for leading on implementation in their local area. Boards have completed a self evaluation in order to identify the criteria which they are already meeting, identify the challenges and determine the highest priority standard criteria that each board will focus their efforts upon. Boards were asked to focus initially upon the four generic standards and the results of the self evaluation provided the starting point to identify priorities for the national work programme. Boards have also been encouraged to look at condition specific standards where they identify areas requiring improvement. Each NHS Board has been developing a local improvement plan based upon the self evaluation along with consideration to priorities identified by patients and carers using neurological health services.

The first learning event to support implementation took place in autumn 2010 and had representation from all boards. This event focused on the implementation of various aspects of the first four generic standards. Delegates learnt about some of the successful initiatives currently being undertaken within neurological services in NHS boards. They were also encouraged to discuss how the standards will improve the quality of neurological service delivery in NHSScotland. The learning session enabled participants to build their knowledge and skills in relation to improvement tools and techniques and understand which processes are key to achieving the aims of the standards.

A series of condition specific events took place throughout Spring/Summer 2011 bringing together people living with a neurological condition and their carers, voluntary sector organisations and all NHS Boards. There was an event for each of the condition specific standards along with an event focusing upon Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology. At all events patients and carers provided insights into living with their particular condition. The events gave an opportunity for the sharing of challenges and opportunities related to improving the quality of neurological services and to gain a greater understanding of the priorities of people with that condition. There was also time allocated to allow Boards to further develop their Neurological Services improvement plans.

The Alliance has a key role in the implementation of the standards and ensures that all member organisations are regularly updated on the progress being made. The Alliance also aims to ensure meaningful involvement of people affected by neurological conditions in the review of neurological health services and improvement required to achieve the standards via the Neurological Voices programme which was launched in April 2011 and which will work with a number of Boards in the first instance to ensure the patient voice is heard.