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20 December 2002

Health Minister Jacqui Smith has announced membership of the group responsible for advising on standards for the diagnosis, treatment, health and social care of people with neurological conditions.

The External Reference Group for the National Service Framework on Long-term Conditions (NSF) brings together health and social care professionals, service users and carers and other advocates to develop a blueprint for a neurological and disability service.

The aim of the NSF is to raise standards, reduce variations in services and improve the quality of care for people with neurological and other long-term conditions. Current plans are to publish the NSF in 2004 with a 10-year implementation period from 2005.

Jacqui Smith said: "People with neurological conditions have in the past have had to fit in with the way care is provided locally, whether or not it met their individual needs. This gives us a real opportunity to develop, standards across health and social care that will drive higher quality, more accessible services."

The chair of the External Reference Group is Diana Whitworth, Chief Executive of Carers' UK. Deputy chairs are Lynne Turner-Stokes, Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, and Andy Mckeon, Director of Policy and Planning, Department of Health.

ERG members are:

Alan Burns, Chief Executive, Trent Strategic Health Authority

Maggie Campbell, Brain Injury Co-ordinator and Consultant Neurophysiotherapist, Sheffield West NHS Primary Care Trust

Dr Geoffrey Carroll, Clinical Director, Eastern Regional Specialised Commissioning Group

Julie Charles, Chief Executive, EQUALITIES ? The National Council of Disabled People from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, London

Chris Clough, Medical Director and Consultant Neurologist, King's College Hospital, London

Marilyn Ekers, service user, York

Wagih El Masri, Consultant Surgeon in Spinal Injuries and Director, Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries

Professor Pam Enderby, Professor of Community Rehabilitation, University of Sheffield

David G. Hardy, President, Society of British Neurosurgeons, Addenbrookes's Hospital, Cambridge

Dr Maggie Helliwell, General Practitioner, Airedale PCT & Ling House Medical Centre, Keighley

Jackie Holt, Director of Nursing and Hospital Services, Walton Centre for Neurology & Neuroscience NHS Trust

Jeff Jerome, Director of Social Services and Housing, London Borough of Richmond

Glyn Jones, County Manager ? Physical Disability Services, Hampshire County Council Social Services Department

Norman Keen, carer, London

Maureen Kelly, Chair, The Neurological Alliance, Liverpool

Barbara Kennedy, Chief Executive, Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust

Helen McCloughry, Occupational Therapist and Acting Intermediate Care Manager, Nottingham City Social Services and Primary Care Trust

David Pink, Chief Executive, Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance, London

Jill Stewart, Policy Manager ? Health and Social Care, Disability Rights Commission, London

Dr Andy Tyerman, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist & Head of Service, Community Head Injury Service ? Vale of Aylesbury Primary Care Trust

Dr Ian Williams, Director, North West Clinical Neuroscience Partnership, Merseyside