The future of NHS services for patients with nervous system and brain conditions will be decided by a consultation launched today
THe NHS review is taking place on residential respite for people with neuro-degenerative conditions, including the Favell House respite centre in Northampton. People who use the service have incurable conditions such Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s disease.
There will also be a similar review of community podiatry services.
Dr Matthew Davies, clinical director at NHS Nene, which funds the services together with NHS Corby, said: “We are passionate and committed about patient care and improving the quality and choice of health services in Northamptonshire.
“We have spoken to people with neuro-degenerative conditions who currently receive support, in particular respite care, and they have expressed an interest in receiving greater choice in how and where they receive support.
“We are reviewing the service to see how we can provide services to all those who need it across Northamptonshire and improve patient choice.
“We know the local health services need to be improved and in order to achieve more efficient and high quality patient care we want to give patients more choice about how and where they receive their care.
“The community podiatry service is currently available to everyone regardless of whether there is a medical need.
“This can cause delays for those patients who generally need the specialist skills this service provides. We want to work with existing users to review the service and ensure those with the greatest medical need are receiving the treatment they require and that others are still able to access services through an alternative provider including voluntary agencies.”
Service users from both services have been contacted and invited to take part in the review and partner agencies are also being consulted.
More information is on the Clinical Commissioning Groups websites www.neneccg.nhs.uk/current-consultations
Dr Davies said: ““We are at the beginning of this review, no decisions have been made at this point and we want to work with patients and their families, carers, staff and partners to ensure any decision made is shaped by the people of Northamptonshire who use the local health services.
“Our main priority is ensuring our patients receive the best possible care and we have launched these consultations to ensure they have the opportunity to have their say on the future of the services they use.”