§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to establish the baseline(a) prevalence levels of neurological conditions and (b) position of services for people with neurological conditions; and if he will make a statement on the work to date on the National Service Framework on Neurological Conditions. [8707]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 22 October 2001]: The Department has numerous information systems that help it to understand the picture of diseases including, for example, the Health Survey for England. This is complemented by academic research which provides more detailed prevalence information of people with neurological conditions. We have also asked voluntary organisations to submit any information they might have.
One of the key tasks of the scoping process for the National Service Framework for Neurological and other Long-term conditions will be to establish the position of services particularly concentrating on areas where the need for service improvement is identified. We have established an analytical group to begin to assess the evidence and are also working closely with users, carers, professionals and voluntary organisations.