Mid and South Wales Neurosciences Service

All six Mid and South Wales Health Boards today welcome the recommendations set out in the Mid and South Wales Neurosciences Implementation Programme report.

 

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board; Hywel Dda Health Board; Powys Teaching Health Board, Cwm Taf Health Board and Aneurin Bevan Health Board agree that the report paves the way for a more robust, comprehensive and accessible neurosciences service to be put in place, which will focus on the delivery of high quality, safe and accessible patient services.

 

The report recommends that we urgently establish a single neurosurgical service, with all emergency and intra-cranial activity being undertaken at the University Hospital of Wales, with non-complex spinal surgery and outpatient, diagnostic services and day case neurosurgery activity continuing at both Morriston Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales.

 

Spinal services will also be strengthened under the new model, with many West Wales patients travelling shorter distances to have their surgery, and patients with routine conditions like slipped discs getting better access to treatment.

 

The report’s recommendations reflect international best practice and expert clinical advice. NHS Trust Medical Directors, Neuroscience Consultants, patient representatives and expert advisers were represented on the Implementation Board, ensuring recommendations were based on the views of professionals and the interests of patients.

 

At an early stage the Board concluded that certain aspects of the current Neurosciences Service are unsustainable. This reflects a range of workforce pressures. They also clarified scope to drive up quality and outcomes if new, ‘best practice’ service models are introduced. We agree with the conclusions.

 

The Health Boards welcome the renewed focus on the development of a more comprehensive neurosciences service, which will encompasse a wide range of services to improve access to diagnosis and treatment of a large number of illnesses and conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system, including stroke. This will ultimately improve care for thousands of patients in Mid and South Wales.

 

The new service model also enhances rehabilitation services for people who have suffered a brain or spinal injury, or who have a neurological condition, to enable them to recover and regain as much independence as possible.

 

The proposal will allow surgeons to be supported to sub-specialise, increasing their expertise and the service they offer to patients, including improving patient outcomes. We will also be able to cope better with staffing issues and consolidate the training of new neurosurgeons.

 

Importantly, the proposal provides the opportunity to maintain a safe and sustainable service in Mid and South Wales.

 

The University Hospital of Wales and Morriston Hospital already work closely together and this relationship has been consolidated and strengthened in recent months, following the transfer of complex and emergency neurosurgery from Morriston to Cardiff in July, which was necessary because of doctor shortages.

 

We now have an excellent platform from which to embark on the development of the new single neurosurgery service model outlined in the report, a recommendation which has the unanimous support of our neurosurgeons.

 

We will be setting up a joint Implementation Committee to take these recommendations forward as soon as practicable.

 

Chair of the Mid and South Wales Neurosciences Implementation Programme Board, Dr Alan Axford, said:

 

 

Morriston Hospital-based Consultant Neurosurgeon John Martin said:

 

 

University Hospital of Wales Consultant Neurosurgeon Brian Simpson added: