Health Secretary formally launches Care Framework for Ayrshire & Arran

Health Secretary Shona Robison has formally launched the Ayrshire & Arran Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease.

The launch at Ayrshire Central Hospital’s Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre saw families affected by Huntington’s Association join health and social care staff to welcome Ayrshire & Arran as the first area in Scotland to roll out its own localised version of the internationally acclaimed framework.

The framework seeks to help ensure families affected by the complex neurological condition are given the best possible care, information and support regardless of where they live throughout the country.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Shona Robison, said:

“The Scottish Government provided Scottish Huntington’s Association with funding and support to develop a National Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease and begin the process of rolling it out across the country. The national and international feedback on the work undertaken so far has been extremely positive, and I am delighted to visit the Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre today to launch the first localised version of the National Framework.

“Scottish Huntington’s Association, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and local HSCP staff have embraced this opportunity and worked hard to drive improvements in standards of care and support for individuals and their families affected by this disease.”

Chief Executive of Scottish Huntington’s Association, John Eden, said:

“Scottish Huntington’s Association owes an enormous debt of gratitude to everyone who participated in the development of the Ayrshire & Arran Care Framework. Today’s launch is a huge vote of confidence in their work. Together they have added to a momentum that will lead this project to success the length and breadth of Scotland and, hopefully, beyond.”

Consultant Psychiatrist and Huntington’s Disease Lead Clinician for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Dr Tim Johnston, said:

“It has been a great pleasure to work with local health and social care staff and families to develop Scotland’s first local Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease. The framework is designed to guide health and social care staff and empower families.  It is an extremely comprehensive and easy to use tool that I am confident will help to further improve care and support provided to families over time.”

Non-Executive Director of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Bob Martin, said:

“This is an excellent example of how working together in partnership can ensure that people receive the specialised care and support they need. We are proud to lead the way by launching a local Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease.”

The Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease has been supported by the Scottish Government, all parties in the Scottish Parliament, the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions, NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships, health and social care staff, professional bodies, Huntington’s family members, academics, and national and international third sector partners.

The National Framework can be viewed at care.hdscotland.org. The Ayrshire & Arran Framework can be viewed within the “Regional Frameworks” section of the site. Frameworks for Fife and Grampian can also be viewed within this section of the site, with formal launch events for these versions to be announced shortly.

Published: April 2018