No abstract

Provision of acute liaison in-patient neurology reduces demand on neurology out patient services, reduces unnecessary investigations and use of medical beds by patients waiting on in-patient neurology review and allows speedier access to necessary neurological services for those with a neurological illness.The pressure on acute neurology beds at QEUH Glasgow is immense and there is considerable delay in patients waiting for admission to the ward. An audit of the acute on call service in mid 2015 showed a 100% increase in the number of phone calls received by the on call registrar when compared to a similar audit in 2008. The number of requests for ward visiting to review medical inpatients at the Queen Elizabeth University hospital increased by more than 100% over the previous year.In June 2016 an Acute Neurology rota was introduced whereby a Consultant Neurologist supervised and delivered patient care for the acute neurology wards, referrals from medical wards and acute receiving, as well as twice a week acute neurology clinics. This has led to a significantly improved care for patients referred with neurological problems as perceived by trainees, consultants and referring medical physicians, as evident on a survey carried out in 2017.