National action plan on neurological conditions: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

In 2003, it was estimated that there were about one million people in Scotland living with a neurological condition, of whom at least 10% were disabled as a result^[1]. Neurological conditions account for up to 10% of acute hospital admissions^[2],and 10% of the overall burden of disease in Scotland, as measured by disability-adjusted life years^[3].

As part of our ambition to help people improve their health and wellbeing, we want everybody with a neurological condition to live well. In September 2017, the First Minister announced that, following discussion between the Minister for Public Health and Sport and the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions (NACNC), the Scottish Government had started work to develop Scotland's first ever National Action Plan on Neurological Conditions.

The National Action Plan has been co-produced with the neurological community to ensure people living with neurological conditions, their families and carers are at the centre of its development. 'Neurological Community' means people living with neurological conditions, their families and carers, those who provide care and support, practitioners, clinicians, academics, NHS Boards, Integration Authorities, third sector and independent care providers.

The following activities have enabled us to acquire an understanding of stakeholders' views and priorities, as well as consider how the plan might impact on people within the neurological community who share certain 'protected characteristics' set out in Part 2 Chapter 1 Section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 or who might be subject to health inequalities caused by socioeconomic disadvantage, as outlined in the Fairer Scotland Duty under Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

• the Project Steering Team leading the work comprised individuals representative of the neurological community across Scotland;
• NACNC considered the available evidence found through literature reviews;
• the Health and Social Care Alliance and the Neurological Alliance of Scotland were commissioned to undertake a lived experience survey with people, their families and carers;
• NHS Information Services Division (ISD) produced a report setting out prevalence estimates for neurological conditions in Scotland that included the complexities of determining prevalence;
• NACNC conducted a survey to map Neurological Services in Scotland. This survey described current care and support services and existing gaps in provision;
• NACNC organised three national engagement events involving key stakeholders from across the Neurological Community - people living with neurological conditions, their families and/or carers, clinicians and practitioners from health and social care and support, third sector organisations, researchers and industry; and
• Policy officials involved in the plan's development conducted an exercise to engage with policy teams across the Scottish Government to take account of wider services, policies, strategies and plans.