NSF for Long-term Neurological Conditions National Support for Local Implementation 2008
Date: April 2008
Author: Department of Health
Summary: This document is the product of collaboration between the Department of Health, Care Service Improvement Partnership (CSIP) and the Third sector, and gives an overview of resources, tools and initiatives that are or will be available to support local implementation of the National Service Framework for Long-term (neurological) Conditions (NSF). There is a brief description of each item, with web addresses where relevant.

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The NSF was published in March 2005 with a 10-year implementation period. It sets 11 quality requirements to improve treatment, care and support from diagnosis to the end of life for people with neurological conditions. It underlines the need for appropriate, integrated services planned and delivered around individual needs, and to support people to live independently with good quality of life.

Since publication of the NSF, the Department of Health has provided service planners, commissioners and providers with guidance, expert advice and support to help them to deliver the NSF’s quality requirements. However, in line with devolving responsibility to local organisations, the Department of Health is moving to new phase with much greater emphasis on local health and social care communities and the third sector taking responsibility for driving forward service change and improvement. This also recognises that the NSF is not a stand-alone priority but that it needs to be closely aligned and integrated into mainstream NHS and Social Services local activity. The Third sector, including the Neurological Alliance, are looking at ways of aligning their work with local health and social care communities’ priorities so that they can fully support local implementation.

This is a summary of resources, tools and guidance that are available to local commissioners and service providers to support local delivery of the NSF. It includes

• an outline of DH’s NSF programme including work still in progress, and other relevant resources from key broader programmes
• tools and awareness raising activities developed by the Care Services Improvement Partnership, and
• resources developed by the Third sector and a programme of future actions