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Commitment 13 in the Neurological Care and Support: Framework for Action 2020-2025 relates to the support of research into neurological conditions

Action to support Commitment 13 of the Neurological Care and Support: Framework for Action 2020-25 is detailed in the response to Parliamentary Question S6W-13711 on 23 January 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Scottish Government has previously invested £180,000 in the development of a national care framework for Huntington’s Disease, with a view to the potential adoption of this approach in other neurological conditions. Our National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions will consider whether development of frameworks for additional neurological conditions should be prioritised as part of our ongoing implementation of the commitments within the Neurological Care and Support: Framework for Action 2020-2025 .

On 13 December 2022 we published a report of the estimated prevalence of 28 specific neurological conditions: Neurological Conditions: estimating the prevalence in Scotland of selected conditions using GP and Hospital Admissions datasets - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The work was initiated by the Scottish Government and supported by Public Health Scotland (PHS). Estimates were derived from GP recorded diagnoses and hospital admissions data.

The report addresses the commitment in the Neurological Care and Support: Framework for Action 2020-2025 to develop more accurate epidemiological data.

Undertaking this work has enabled us to begin looking at how neurological diagnoses are recorded in health and care records, and how we gather and report prevalence.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13687 on 23 January 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

In 2021 we supported the Neurological Alliance of Scotland (NAoS) to produce three new ‘What to Expect’ information guides for carers of people with neurological conditions. These guides include information on carers’ rights under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and comprise:

• What to expect when you are new to caring
• What to expect from advocacy services
• What to expect when planning ahead

The guides were endorsed by the Coalition of Carers and are available at the NAoS website: https://www.scottishneurological.org.uk

We are currently supporting the NAoS to undertake a project in early 2023 to work with carers centres assessing current resources and identifying gaps that still need to be addressed regarding information, training and signposting.

We worked with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) to facilitate an online learning event in August 2021 to raise awareness of and build confidence amongst health and social care staff in Anticipatory Care Planning for people with neurological conditions.

This was attended by over 280 health and social care professionals working with people affected by neurological conditions, including specialist nurses and Allied Health Professionals.

The event explored how the principles of good Anticipatory Care Planning can be adapted for different neurological conditions, including for purposes much broader than end of life care.

We created a Neurological Anticipatory Care Planning webpage with HIS featuring useful tools for professionals and videos of the webinar presentations: ACP and neurological conditions - ihub | Health and social care improvement in Scotland - Anticipatory Care Planning and Neurological Conditions

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13700 on 23 January 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13707 on 23 January 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

In 2019, we published a Neurological Care and Support – a National Framework for Action 2020-25 , with a vision to ensure everyone with a neurological condition can access the care and support they need to live well, on their own terms.

The aims include improving the provision of co-ordinated health and social care and support, developing sustainable workforce models and ensuring high standards of person-centred care.

Despite the disruption to health and social care services during the pandemic, we have sustained our efforts to deliver the 17 commitments of the Framework. Since October 2020 we have we have awarded £2.1 million to fund innovative projects by NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and third sector organisations working to achieve better outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.

I further refer the member to the Neurological Care And Support: A Framework For Action 2020-2025 – Midpoint Progress Report , which was published on 13 July 2022. This report provides an update on the progress under each of the five aims in the Neurological Care And Support: A Framework For Action 2020-2025.

The Chief Scientist Office is part of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates. Detail on the work of the Chief Scientist Office is available online: https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk.

Research studies taking place in NHS Scotland and funded by members of the Association of Medical Research Charities are eligible for support through the NHS Research Scotland infrastructure arrangements: https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/services.

The NHS Research Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network is funded by the Scottish Government to promote a culture of clinical research in neurological and dementia research across Scotland and to support patient recruitment into high quality studies from both rural and urban areas: https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-areas/dementia-and-neurodegenerative-disease.