Person-centred care has been promised for the myriad of neurological conditions affecting nearly one million Scots.

A five-year action plan launched today by public health minister Joe FitzPatrick pledges personalised care and support ‘regardless of their particular condition or where in Scotland they live’.

He is promising £4.5m to support the plan that aims to build ‘a sustainable neurological workforce’.

Speaking at the William Quarrier Scottish epilepsy centre, Mr FitzPatrick said:

“Around one million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition ranging from common conditions such as migraines to life-limiting illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease.

“We recognise the scale, variety and context of neurological conditions and how distressing they can be for the person with the condition and their family.

“There are a number of challenges these can present the health and social care system and much has been achieved and is being done to address this, particularly through the integration of health and social care.

“This new plan will build on what is working well, while supporting those responsible for providing care and support, and those planning services to tackle the challenges.”

Earlier this year the charity Parkinson’s UK warned waiting times for diagnosis of the degenerative neurological condition were “unacceptably” long.

Concerns were also raised over a lack of support in some areas, particularly the negative impact on mental health, increased fatigue and continence problems that people with Parkinson’s can experience.

Quarriers chief executive Alice Harper said it would help people access the quality of support they deserve:

"We share the values of the national action plan in promoting person-centred health and social care in local communities as well as specialist resources like the William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre which focus on people living a life where their condition does not define them."