Neurological conditions are complex aspects of people’s health. Our webinar explores best practice from across the health and care sectors in how to use ACP to support neurological care.
What are Neurological Conditions?
Neurological conditions cover a broad spectrum of disorders, conditions and syndromes affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease all fall under the term neurological conditions; and all have different outcomes, disease trajectories and approaches to clinical management.
Neurological conditions may appear as an abrupt ‘one off’ occurrence with life-changing consequences, or they may evolve over many years. Some are more readily identifiable and defined, whilst others, mask enormous variation in how symptoms affect people’s lives.
For some a diagnosis of a neurological condition can affect a person’s ability to live independently, work, drive, achieve personal ambitions, or sustain their personal identity or life roles. For others, their condition may affect their ability to communicate, walk, think, swallow or breathe and may result in premature death.
In 2019, the Scottish Government published a national action plan to drive improvements in care and support people with neurological conditions: Neurological Care and Support in Scotland: A Framework for Action 2020 – 2025. This includes a commitment to promoting the use of ACP in neurological care.