MS Society
Fair deal for neurology: MS Society gives evidence
The MS Society has submitted evidence around the current shortcomings in neurological services to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The evidence will be discussed by the select committee of the House of Commons today, along with with evidence from other neurological charities, when they meet to consider whether the Government’s spending on neurological services in recent years has been effective.
The meeting comes after a National Audit Office report published in December found there had been a £0.8 billion increase in spending for neurological services from 2006-2010, with no record of how the money has benefited patients.
Evidence was jointly submitted to the Committee from the MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Neurological Commissioning Support.
What we say
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society said:
“We understand the Government has many competing demands on their time and money, but neurology services have been a forgotten corner of the NHS for years. It’s saddening that it’s taken the intervention of the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee to make ministers sit up and take notice.
“The Government now needs to send a clear message to everyone living with a neurological condition that these services are a priority, not at the bottom of a long list. That’s why we’re calling for a national outcomes strategy for neurological conditions – so that taxpayers’ money is better spent and people’s lives improve as a result.”
Next steps
Alongside our written evidence the Committee will hear from Steve Ford, Chair of the Neurological Alliance; Sir David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS; and Una O'Brien, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health. The Committee will then provide the Government with recommendations within six weeks.
