Abstract

Data collected by the Health and Social Care Information Centre and Public Health England is throwing light on the way neurology services are needed and delivered in England. GP recorded epilepsy prevalence varied between CCG's, from 456 to 1115 people with epilepsy per 100,000 population. Community spending on anticonvulsant drugs varied between £210,000 and £690,000 per 100,000 population. Percentage of epilepsy patients with 12 months seizure freedom varied between 45% and 74%. Admissions due to epilepsy ranged between 2 and 17 admissions per 100,000 residents. Community spending on headaches and migraine varied between £69,000 and £12,000 per 100,000 residents whilst admissions due to headache and migraine varied between 8 and 134 admissions in 2012–3. Admissions with Parkinson's disease varied between 2 and 21 per 100,000 residents whilst community spending on this illness varied between £183,000 and £36,000 per 100,000. In 2012–3 there was a sevenfold difference between CCG's in neurology appointments provided, from 809 to 5,633 appointments per 100,000 population. 46 CCG's provided no new neurology appointments in their own area, whilst 14 CCG's provided over 90% of new appointments in their own area. 4.86% of all neurology appointments in England were provided by one hospital trust.

These sample headlines show how data are being collected and can be analysed to prompt questions and research, to inform commissioners and providers and to improve the quality of care for patients with neurological illness in England.