Making the Health and Care Bill work for people with neurological conditions

28/07/2021

The Health and Care Bill presents an important opportunity to bring about much needed improvements to the health and care services that many people with neurological conditions rely on.

If designed and delivered properly, the integration agenda at the heart of the Bill could make it easier for people with neurological conditions to access joined up care across a range of services closer to home. In its current form, the Bill represents a missed opportunity to address the core issues that prevent many people with neurological conditions from being able to access the right care and support at the right time.

These issues range from workforce to mental health and rehabilitation services. All three of these are vital to providing the kind of joined up, person centred care that this Bill could and should deliver. There are also question marks around what access to specialised services will look like under the new Integrated Care System (ICS) structures that are put on a statutory footing in the Bill. Services such as these are vital to so many of the 1 in 6 people with a neurological condition. We will be working hard with members and the wider sector to push for much needed changes to the Bill. These changes are set out in more detail in our formal position statement.

We hope you agree that these changes are vital to ensuring that the positive aspirations of the Bill translate into positive changes for people with neurological conditions.

In the coming weeks and months, the Alliance will work with member organisations, parliamentarians and others across the health and care sector to support amendments and activities that align with our formal position on the Bill.

As an Alliance, we know that we achieve more when we work together. Let us know your thoughts on the Bill and any activities you have planned by email to sam.mountney@neural.org.uk. Together, we’re stronger.