Nicola Sturgeon accepts recommendations of Sue Ryder report into neurological care

Nicola Sturgeon - FMQs

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government will accept all recommendations for the care of people with neurological conditions from the charity Sue Ryder.

The social care charity published a report this morning which found many people with complex conditions such as multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease are currently stuck in hospitals or care homes for old people without specialist support.

Nine out of Scotland’s 14 regional health boards have no plan for neurological services whatsoever, while new integrated authorities are often left out of planning.

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Only five health boards and five of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have any “meaningful community service” for such conditions, it said.

The report called for an audit of specialist services and better data collection for the conditions, as well as better support for generalist services who are providing care.

During First Minister’s Questions, Sturgeon said all the recommendations would be taken forward by government.

“The report has made five recommendations and we will take forward work on all of them,” she said.

“It is perhaps most appropriate today to say that we have already started to develop Scotland’s first national action plan on neurological conditions.

“The Minister for Public Health and Sport has made it clear that she wants new standards of care to be developed for people with neurological conditions as part of that work.”

She added a new law to give free personal care to under-65s, known as Frank’s Law, will help those with neurological conditions.

At the launch of the report, Pamela MacKenzie, Scotland director at Sue Ryder said: "Neurological conditions can strike anyone, at any time, having a massive impact on them and their families.

"As well as coping with the financial and emotional burden they also have to face a difficult struggle to get the specialist care they need whether in their own home or in residential care.”