Integrated services for people with long-term neurological conditions: an evaluation of the National Service Framework

SPRU research team

• Professor Gillian Parker
• Sylvia Bernard
• Fiona Aspinal
• Kate Gridley

External collaborators

• Rachel Fyson
• Mark Lymbery
• Helen McLoughry
• Christopher Ward

Work on the NSF for Long Term Neurological Conditions is now complete. Here are links to the main output from the project:

Report downloads

LTNC - Full report (PDF , 589kb)

LTNC - Report summary (PDF , 662kb)

LTNC - Appendices (PDF , 488kb)

LTNC - Technical report (PDF , 816kb)

LTNC - 2009 summary tables (PDF , 162kb)

Benchmarking tool

LTNC - Benchmarking tool (PDF , 454kb)

Background

The National Service Framework (NSF) for Long Term Neurological Conditions (LTNCs) encouraged service providers to integrate specialist and non-specialist services within the health service, social services, the voluntary or independent sectors and other services. However there was little guidance about what helps organisations to do this, or about how to judge whether they have achieved it.

Aims

This project identified what helps or hinders integrated services and designed a benchmarking system, based on these factors. The key question was how different people with LTNCs (men/women; older people/younger people; people from minority ethnic communities etc) and people with different types of LTNCs experienced integration. The work was staged:-

• a scoping exercise and rapid review of evidence on best models of integrated service provision for LTNCs, how to achieve them, and their impact
• in-depth case studies in six neurology ‘service systems’ identified the key indicators of good quality, integrated service provision and explained its impact on service users and their families or carers
• material from the first two stages was used to develop benchmarks to assess the type, quality and impact of integrated services in local areas
• the benchmarks were used to assess the development of integrated services nationally as the NSF was implemented

The six case studies covered more and less integrated service systems and a diversity of populations and areas. People affected by LTNCs, their support networks, professionals and practitioners across health and social services, the independent sector and other relevant services formed the samples for all stages. People affected by LTNCs and their organisations were full partners in the research. Diversity of need was central to the project.

Professional press coverage: integrated care in local areas

Community Care, 25 November 2010. Research and Evidence: Integrated care in local areas

Additional information