Neuroscience

Long term neurological conditions result from disease of, injury or damage to the body’s nervous system (ie the brain, spinal cord and/or their peripheral nerve connections) which will affect the individual and their family in one way or another for the rest of their life. They include multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy and Acquired Brain Injury. You can find out more about these conditions via the links alongside.

What are neurosciences?

Neurosciences are those areas of study concerned with these conditions and include:
  • Neurology -  the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system, including for example stroke, epilepsy, dementia, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy.
  • Neurosurgery - which is concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders involving the brain and nervous system including head injuries, brain tumours, haemorrhages. blood clots, weaknesses in  blood vessels and trauma to the spinal cord
  • Neuroradiology - provides imaging services and examines the brain, spinal cord and other related areas.
  • Neuropathology - providing diagnostic pathology services for diseases affecting the nervous system.

Policy Context

In autumn 2007 the Minister for Health and Social Services commissioned an Independent Review of adult neurosciences in Wales (including spinal and stroke services) which was led by Mr James Steers.

He recommended a future model for a high quality, safe and sustainable adult neuroscience service. Three sets of recommendations were published, relating to All Wales, North Wales and Mid and South Wales.

Implementation planning groups in Mid and South Wales and North Wales were asked to determine how the Steers’ recommendations should be implemented in their region. The Local Health Boards (LHB) have now been asked to work together to implement the reports.

What are we doing about long term neurological conditions?

Following the completion of its review the Welsh Neuroscience Expert Review Group was tasked with designing a process to act as a foundation for the development of Care Pathways for Long Term Neurological Conditions. These pathways aim to support people with long-term neurological conditions in managing their condition, maintaining independence and achieving the best possible quality of life through an integrated process of education, information sharing, assessment, care planning and service delivery.
 
The Group felt that it would be best to accept and adapt the recommendations of the English National Service Framework using these as the basis for care pathways and to work the Map of Medicine bearing in mind that this is a tool for the understanding and working of a pathway. You can find out more via the links below:

Services

Specialist neurology services in Mid and South Wales are delivered through the neuroscience centres at Morriston Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales.

Patients in North Wales receive neurosurgery at the Walton Centre in Liverpool with more neurological care, support and rehabilitation at local hospitals in North Wales
In addition, a neurology service is being developed in North Wales with enhanced services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and Wrexham-Maelor Hospital. This will provide an enhanced medical neurology service with improved neurological input into stroke management, neurorehabilitation and neurophysiology.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board hosts the North Wales Brain Injury Service.

The Walton Centre provides a comprehensive range of services including neurology, neurosurgery, pain management, rehabilitation and specialist diagnostic services to the people of North Wales.

Initiatives

The Neurology service for South West Wales covers a large geographical area, over 52% of the land mass of Wales with a combination of inner city, urban and dispersed rural
populations. A Neurology Telemedicine Service was set up to increase the availability of clinics and to reduce Consultant travel time.

Resources

NICE Guidance is designed to promote good health and to prevent ill health. It is internationally recognised for its excellence. 

 

NHS Evidence - Neurological Conditions is a specialist collection which aims to provide access to the best available evidence within neurological conditions to NHS healthcare professionals. It is not intended to replace databases like PubMed, which provide access to journal articles. Although targeted at health professionals, patients, carers and the general public will find useful information on the site.

Data Sources

The Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) provides accurate and relevant information to help Doctors, nurses and managers improve their services.

The Intensive Care National Audit Research Centre (ICNARC)  aims to foster improvements in the organisation and practice of critical care in the UK.