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Chairmanship of the External Reference Group: National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions

  • Published date:
    9 October 2002

Health Minister Jacqui Smith, announced today the Chair and Deputy Chair of the External Reference Group (ERG) of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-term Conditions.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Neurological Alliance, Jacqui Smith said:

"We are delighted to announce Diana Whitworth, the Chief Executive of Carers' UK, will chair the ERG. Diana Whitworth is a real patient and user champion and has worked hard for a better deal for carers. She has a good understanding of the impact of disabling conditions on families and sees things from their point of view.

"The NSF is challenging, coping with a number of medical and surgical conditions. Multidisciplinary working is important where patients have complex rehabilitation needs that span mobility, housing, social integration and vocational resettlement. Diana Whitworth will need the help and support of a clinical expert to steer the right course through this difficult terrain. We are therefore pleased to announce that Lynne Turner-Stokes, Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at King's College Hospital in London will be her Deputy.

"Ms. Whitworth will also be supported by Andy McKeon, the Director of Policy and Planning at the Department of Health who as Co-chair will complement the skills and knowledge she brings with his long Civil Service experience".

Notes to editor

  1. Diana Whitworth, has been Chief Executive of Carers UK (formerly Carers National Association) since 1 March 1999. Carers UK is an organisation of carers throughout the UK. It develops policies and lobbies for a better deal for carers across health and social care and provides information and advice. She also spent 10 years at the National Consumer Council, the last eight as Head of Public Affairs.
  2. Professor Lynne Turner-Stokes is the Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at King's College and Northwick Park Hospitals, London. Over the last 10 years, Prof.Turner-Stokes has built up a network of rehabilitation services in north-west London, building close links between health and social services that support young adults with complex disabilities. She has pioneered patient-centred approaches to rehabilitation and with the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine has developed national standards for rehabilitation services. These stress the involvement of users, their families and carers in planning their care and what services they need. Prof. Turner-Stokes has good links with neurosurgeons and with community-based rehabilitation services.
  3. Andy McKeon is the Director of Policy and Planning at the Department of Health.
  4. Joined the Department of Health in 1976 after graduating from Cambridge University. Pursued a wide variety of jobs within the Department covering many aspects of the operation of the National Health Service and also Social Services and has had two spells in major Trusts in London. Head of Primary Care Division in the NHS Executive until January 2000. He is now Director of Policy and Planning with oversight of the Department of Health's policy and delivery agenda for the reform and improvement of the NHS. His post also covers all aspects of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy and the clinical and cost effective use of medicines in the NHS.
  5. The NSF for Long-term Conditions was announced by the Secretary of State in February 2001. In June 2002 Jacqui Smith confirmed that the NSF will have a particular focus on the needs of people with neurological conditions and brain and spinal injury. It will also tackle some of the generic issues that affect a wide range of people with long-term conditions, possible examples are the provision of community equipment, wheelchairs and vocational rehabilitation.
  6. Each NSF is developed with the help of an ERG which brings together health and social care professionals, service users and carers, service managers, partner agencies, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders. ERGs adopt an inclusive process to engage the full range of views. The Department of Health supports the ERGs and manages the overall process
  7. We will be announcing membership of the ERG for the NSF soon. It will be responsible for advising the NSF standards for the diagnosis, treatment, health and social care of people with neurological conditions. The group will also identify and tackle some of the generic issues affecting a wide range of people with long-term conditions.
  8. For media enquiries, please contact: Shima Islam, tel: 020 7210 5375 or Lisa Ward, tel: 020 7210 5315 in the Department of Health Media Centre.
  9. For public enquiries, please contact the Department of Health Public Enquiries Department on tel: 020 7210 4850
  • Contact:
    Press officer
  • Address:
    Media Centre, Department of Health
    Richmond House, 79 Whitehall
    London
    SW1A 2NL
  • Phone:
    Media Centre
    020 7210 5221

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