About  the research

Summary

The Long-Term Neurological Conditions Research Initiative began in 2006. It was set up to help assess how the National Service Framework for Long Term Neurological Conditions (NSF LTNC) was being implemented, and to measure its impact.

The research aims to help us understand:

• more about the nature of long term neurological conditions and how care services support people living with them.
• more about the day-to-day experience of adults living with long term neurological conditions.

The initiative involves 10 linked research studies, which are all due to finish by the end of 2011.

Who is this site for and why?

This website is a front door for information about each of the research studies, as well as information about related work and developments.

Within the site, you will find detailed reports from each study, providing evidence about:

• what support is required
• what works best
• the costs and benefits involved

The content will be of interest to

• Researchers
• People with neurological conditions and their carers
• Anyone commissioning, managing or delivering care services.

Background

The Department of Health’s Policy Research Programme (PRP) funded our research initiative in 2006, with the aim of supporting implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF).

Evidence from the research will be used to help assess the way services are developed and delivered.

It will also add to our understanding of people’s day-to-day experience of living with neurological impairments and how barriers to their using health and social services can be removed.

The Policy Research Programme (PRP) is a national programme of research, run by the Department of Health.  The PRP provides the evidence base for policy-making in the Department of Health,  through policy directorates in the Department and directly to the Secretary of State for Health and his Ministers.

The PRP works alongside the national research programmes run by the National Institute for Health Research, and, as necessary, with other government departments and a wide variety of other stakeholders.

Overview Report - A Life More Ordinary

The Overview Report:

• presents the main findings, themes and trends from all the studies in the initiative.
• draws on these to make recommendations for the future.

Within the electronic version of the report there are hyperlinks to relevant reports and information to make it easier to access the evidence from the studies.

The report will be a valuable resource for all concerned with services and support for people with neurological conditions.

Key outcomes from our initiative

This programme of research was set up in partnership with people living with neurological conditions and people or organisations who support them.

We have learnt a lot about how inclusive, partnership approaches in research and service development can help to meet the needs of both people who use health care services, and people and organisations who provide them.

Our programme of research has produced essential evidence about how future services should be designed, so that they are effective and provide good value for money.