A major new report commissioned by the Assembly Government recommends that a neurology centre be based in North Wales. The independent report by consultant neurosurgeon James Steers also says that patients should continue to receive planned and emergency neurosurgery at regional specialist centres in England.
It says that neurology patients with complex diagnostic or treatment requirements will need to be managed by the Walton Centre. Many patients will be managed within their local district general hospital in North Wales, including some who will require intensive care. In these circumstances a named consultant which will usually be one of the consultants covering the district general hospital would be identified as the primary liaison between the local hospital and the neuroscience unit.
The report on adult neurosciences services in North Wales is the first of a series of reports on the future of neurosciences services across Wales. It says:
- A North Wales Neurology Service should be established to deliver medical neurology, stroke management and neurophysiology, with enhanced services at other hospitals across the region;
- The North Wales Neurology Service should be based at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan with enhanced services at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and Wrexham-Maelor Hospital.
An inpatient neurorehabilitation centre should be established; and, - A non-complex spinal surgery services should be established.
Accepting the recommendations, Health Minister Edwina Hart, said: “My aim is to provide patients with access to as many healthcare services as locally as possible where they can be provided safely and effectively. Where they cannot be delivered locally, and for highly specialised treatments, which may only be offered at a few regional centres across the UK, patients will always have to travel to receive this care in England.
I am pleased to receive Mr Steers’ report which clearly sets out how I can improve services for patients. I have now asked the Health and Social Services North Wales Regional Office to co-ordinate the development of a costed implementation plan for these recommendations. These should be implemented within five years so that patients can start to receive more and improved services locally, reducing the need to travel. These recommendations will also help improve care for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and stroke.
I have been disappointed that over the last year there have been many inaccurate stories about the review and the potential outcome. Many said that people would be compelled to travel to South Wales for this life-saving treatment. My aim was always to improve services for patients in North Wales. This report does that.”
The report can be found at: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/reports/neurosciencesnorth/?lang=en
