Gloucestershire

We worked in Gloucestershire in 2009 and 2010 alongside NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County Council and a large reference group of service users and carers. We supported our partners to bring about changes that have significantly improved service quality and outcomes.

Additional services

Two additional Parkinson’s nurses and a motor neurone disease (MND) co-ordinator are now in post. This means people with Parkinson’s and MND have a single point of access and support when using services, as well as saving costs for the PCT because service users are less likely to be admitted as an emergency.

Specialist nurses and key workers are a proven way of making cost savings whilst improving the quality of care. See Neuronavigator for more detail (try the example model).

NHS Gloucestershire has commissioned additional psychological support in brain injury, meaning many more people have access to psychological services.

There is also now a larger team of therapists for pressure care and postural management across all conditions.

Improving existing provision

We supported the PCT to introduce a more streamlined wheelchair referral process for people with MND, and set up clear agreements about specialist equipment provision.

This has dramatically reduced wheelchair waiting times from eight weeks to three – so important with this rapidly progressing condition – giving people more independence, more quickly.

Raising awareness

Service users and carers produced an information booklet, Getting the best from neurological services in Gloucestershire, with support from NCS. People affected by a long-term neurological condition can now access information more easily and confidently.

Finally, professionals’ training days have been developed and delivered, meaning that a range of local professionals have an increased awareness and understanding of long-term neurological conditions.

Project legacy

The service users and carers involved in this work have continued to meet to ensure that the recommendations that were made continue to be considered. This group has become the Gloucestershire Neurological Alliance, formalising its position as a user voice on local neurological issues.

Contact us for more information on this project – we can share event notes, presentations and best practice if you would like more detail.