Neurosurgery Network

Aberdeen - Dundee - Edinburgh - Glasgow

The national managed service network (MSN) for neurosurgery in Scotland has at its core the principles of managed clinical networks, extended to cover the whole service rather than a specific patient group. Its aims are to encourage cooperative, collaborative working relationships, commonality of data collection and audit and consistency of quality and access to care for patients from all over Scotland.

The concept and aims of the new Managed Service Network are set out in detail in the final report of the Neuroscience Implementation Group, the recommendations of which were formally accepted by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in February 2009. The Network Board has now being established, under the Chairmanship of Professor Sir David Carter. We have also appointed our first national Clinical Director for Neurosurgery, Mr Eric Ballantyne, who is currently lead neurosurgeon in NHS Tayside. The Board is supported by an Operational Mnagement Group, which is Chaired by Mr Ballantyne.

The establishment of the MSN is a significant new approach to service delivery in Scotland, building on the well established principles of managed clinical networks (MCNs).  A MCN is usually set up to encourage better coordination and communication between the various disciplines involved in caring for a patient group with a specific condition. They aim to involve everyone in developing a consistent and equitable service which is available to everyone who needs it. The strengths of managed clinical networks (MCNs) have been described as:

‘the promotion of consistency and quality of service throughout the care pathway, and the bringing together of service user and provider views to the service planning process . . . developing services which are truly person-centred, delivered locally wherever possible but specialised where need be’ (SEHD (2007) HDL 21)

Our vision for the MSN is one of an integrated, consistent, high quality and easily accessible neurosurgical service for the whole of Scotland, working together to deliver the highest standards of care to our population.

Neurosurgery in Scotland is located on four main sites: Glasgow (Southern General Hospital and Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill), Edinburgh (Western General Hospital and Royal Hospital for Sick Children), Dundee (Ninewells Hospital) and Aberdeen (Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital).

Wide multidisciplinary involvement is key to the success of network approaches. Health professionals, service users, their carers and relatives are welcome to give their views on the work of the current working groups and their membership and/or to contribute to their work.