GOV.UK
Guidance
Neurology data and analysis: a guide for health professionals
- From:
- Public Health England
- Published:
- 3 May 2017
Explains how commissioners and health professionals can use data and analysis for decisions about neurology services and interventions.
Public Health England (PHE) brings together and analyses data on neurological conditions from across the health and care system and produces resources to help improve services and outcomes.
This guidance is for commissioners, public health professionals and others involved in the local planning and provision of services that support people with neurological conditions. It should support them to use these resources to make or influence decisions about local services and interventions.
PHE describes neurological conditions as including:
- ataxia
- central nervous system infections
- cranial nerve disorders
- development disorders
- epilepsy
- functional disorders
- headaches and migraine
- motor neurone disease and spinal muscular atrophy
- multiple sclerosis and inflammatory disorders
- neuromuscular diseases
- Parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal disorders or tic disorders
- peripheral nerve disorders
- sleep disorders
- spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy
- traumatic brain and spine injury
- tumours of the nervous system
- rare and other neurological diseases
See further information about these conditions.
There is separate guidance on using data and analysis resources for dementia.
Understanding neurological conditions locally
Comprehensive data on neurological conditions is available from NHS RightCare to help health professionals understand neurological conditions at clinical commissioning group (CCG) level.
The neurology focus packs give an analysis of a range of indicators focussing on spend, activity, quality and outcomes relating to neurological conditions. A focus pack tool is also available which can be used to see maps, charts and tables for the indicators across CCGs, and to compare CCGs to each other.
Use of hospital services
Data analysis on the use of hospital services by people with a neurological condition can be used by commissioners, analysts and other public health professionals to make sure that hospital services are meeting local need. This data covers:
- emergency hospital admissions
- subsequent hospital episodes
- numbers in treatment
- hospital discharges
Outpatient services
The neurology outpatient analysis data briefing shows the number and type of adult neurological outpatient appointments offered in England and how close they are made to the patient’s home.
This information can help commissioners and clinicians assess whether they comply with recommendations by the Royal College of Physicians for scheduled outpatient care.
Further information
PHE’s National Mental Health, Dementia and Neurology Intelligence Network (NMHDNIN) produces these resources for commissioners and other health professionals to help them improve services and outcomes for patients. For further guidance and information about the tools and analysis please email mhdnin@phe.gov.uk.