North Berwick-based Leuchie House, Scotland’s specialist neurological condition respite service, has held an event at the Scottish Parliament to enable MSPs to find out more about its re-imagination of respite services and innovation in health and social care using technology.

Sponsored by Martin Whitfield MSP, the drop-in reception provided MSPs with an opportunity to meet members of the Leuchie team and learn more about its work, particularly around the use of their skills and experience to test and develop enabling technology, preventative health interventions and alternatives to paid-for care.

People living with a neurological condition are in every constituency and in every walk of life. On a global stage, Scotland has high numbers of people with neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (c15,000 living with MS in Scotland today). More widely, disability following the effects of a stroke is a significant health and economic concern.

Many of the lessons taken from providing health, social care and the use of enabling technology to people with neurological conditions and their family carers can be applied to the wider, aging population, which will place ever increasing demands on health and social care services.

By enabling those with neurological conditions to manage their own health and environment, Leuchie has re-imagined respite and now includes services which reduce the impact of a neurological condition on the individual, their family and on the health and social care infrastructure.

Speaking after the event, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“It was a real pleasure to sponsor the Leuchie House reception in Parliament. Leuchie has re-imagined respite and now includes services which reduce the impact of a neurological condition on the individual, their family and on the health and social care infrastructure.

“This was a valuable opportunity for parliamentary colleagues to drop in and learn from this unique and ground-breaking charity and its highly skilled staff about how it is re-inventing itself around a demonstrable need, informed by service users. My thanks to all the MSPs who joined us to meet members of the fantastic Leuchie team and find out more about the dedicated service they provide to so many families from across Scotland and beyond.”

Mark Bevan, CEO of Leuchie House, said: 

“I am grateful to Martin for organising this reception, which enabled colleagues to explain to MSPs, ahead of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill, the critical role of respite care in improving health outcomes. Colleagues enjoyed talking to MSPs and demonstrating how we are taking the skills and resources developed within Leuchie, to deliver impact beyond our walls, with implications for a much greater population, in every constituency.”

For further information about Leuchie House and its re-imagining of respite care, please visit www.leuchiehouse.org.uk.