§ Mrs. Betty WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions; and what input he has received from(a) the National Assembly for Wales and (b) other Welsh organisations in developing the framework for the benefit of those people in Wales who receive neurological services from centres in England. [178095]
§ Dr. LadymanThe external reference group which we established to support development of the national service framework for long term conditions submitted its advice to the Department last month. We are committed to publishing the framework as soon as possible but we need to consider the economic and practical implications of the advice before publishing the framework and will therefore keep the publication and implementation timetable of the framework under review.
The framework will focus on improving services for people with neurological conditions and addressing some of the common issues that can promote independence for people with other long term conditions. It will apply to services across England and the people that receive treatment, care and support at these services.
Officials from the National Assembly for Wales were involved in the early scoping of the framework and there have been follow up bilateral discussions with departmental officials during its development.
901WThe National Assembly for Wales is also conducting a strategic review of neuroscience services in Wales, which will consider equity of service provision for people in Wales who are receiving services in England and those receiving services in Wales.