The Walton Centre neurology network – an equitable, sustainable and deliverable model for a large-scale neurology service

Abstract

UK neurology has many different models of provision and a shortage of essential clinical staff. Services are sometimes unsatisfactory and there is much variation and inequality, especially in areas outside London where there are far fewer consultants. Some hospitals have much better staffed and resourced neurological services than others which may have far less provision or even no neurology service at all. There is no national strategy or agreed model of service delivery - local areas have evolved individual arrangements, often dictated by consultant availability. We describe, with clear operational details, a neurology network model in a large population, with outcomes. In many areas with limited resources it could, by re-organisation of current services, be considered instead of existing separate, variable and potentially inequitable local arrangements.