More neuroscience services to be based in North Wales

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association welcomes the news that Health Minister Edwina Hart has accepted the recommendations that a neurology centre should be based in North Wales.

The recommendations have been published in a report by Mr James Steers, a consultant neurosurgeon. 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 which has been commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The report says that neurology patients in North Wales with complex diagnostic or treatment requirements will need to be managed by the Walton Centre in Liverpool.

This news will bring relief to people affected by MND living in North Wales who have been concerned that proposed changes to their care could have resulted in 10-hour or more round trips to specialist centres in South Wales.

In addition, the report states that patients should be managed within their local district general hospital in North Wales, including those 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 also recommends:

• 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.
• A non-complex spinal surgery services should be established.

Kevin Thomas, a Regional Care Development Adviser at the MND Association, based in Ynys Môn, said:

“If these recommendations are delivered then it will make a big difference to people with MND. The report is being published in stages and recommendations for South Wales will no doubt be within forthcoming reports.

“My colleague and I did meet with the report author, Mr Steers, on two separate occasions for the Wales Neurological Alliance and the Wrexham Neurological Alliance. He was an attentive listener and clearly took on board our messages with regard to the need in North Wales.”

Visit the Welsh Assembly Government website for more information.

• In July 2007, the Health Minister Edwina Hart announced that she wanted to look at how adult neuroscience services were delivered in Wales.
• In the Autumn 2007, the Minister asked Mr Steers, an Edinburgh-based consultant neurosurgeon and past President of the British Society of Neurosurgeons to lead the review.
• Since the review started, the remit has widened to include a range of other neurological conditions.
• The Minister will make a further statement in September when she has received all of Mr Steers’ reports.