GP commissioners can potentially make £500,000 in savings for a single patient with motor neurone disease, according to chief executive of the MND Association Kristine Knox.
Speaking at the launch of the NeuroNavigator neurological commissioning tool, Ms Knox said providing non-invasive ventilation equipment and a respiratory therapist costs £12,000 per year compared to one night in an acute intensive care unit costing £1,500.
‘Once admitted as an emergency to an ICU, most people with MND in a respiratory crisis will stay there until they die. This type of emergency care costs the NHS typically £45,000 per month for the ICU admission alone, equating to a saving of £528,000 per annum – for a single person.'
NeuroNavigator aims to help commissioners understand the service needs for long-term neurological conditions. It was developed jointly by the Parkinson's Society, MS Society and MND Association. It provides easy access to information to inform commissioning.
More at www.neuronavigator.org.uk.
