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Neurology: Children

Volume 504: debated on Tuesday 26 January 2010

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the review of paediatric neurological services by the National Specialised Commissioning Group; and what effects he expects the outcomes of the review to have upon service provision at Wessex Neurological Centre. (313413)

The National Specialised Commissioning Group (NSCG) has set up a steering group with members from the Society of British Neurological Surgeons, the British Paediatric Neurosurgery Group and other relevant professional associations to review delivery of paediatric neurosurgical services in England. The review is making good progress; it has published draft service standards for discussion with a wide range of stakeholders and is looking at the evidence base for possible reconfiguration of services and potential models of care.

No key decisions on the future planning or delivery of paediatric neurosurgical services in England have yet been made and we cannot prejudge the outcome of the review, but the aim of the review is to ensure safe and sustainable paediatric neurosurgical services for all children in England, and their families, regardless of where they live or which hospital delivers their care.