The Brain and Spine Foundation was set up in 1992 to develop research, education and information programmes aimed at improving the prevention, treatment and care of people affected by disorders of the brain and spine and to stimulate the greater allocation of resources across all neurological disorders.

Fifteen years on, it continues to provide a wide range of information and services for patients, carers and health professionals. During this time, the BSF have produced 31 Booklets on a variety of neurological conditions, work books for schools and colleges, and educational videos for GPs and other health professionals.

The Brain and Spine Helpline, run by neuroscience healthcare professionals, has responded to over 20,000 calls since its launch in 1998. In addition, the former Brain and Spine Website received in excess of 3,000 users a month. With its increased capacity, the new Website will see these figures rise dramatically.

Aims and objectives

The Brain and Spine Foundation are committed to improving services across the whole spectrum of neurological conditions, as well as recognition and awareness of the impact of these conditions.

The Brain and Spine Foundation's ability to provide a generic, non disease specific perspective on the impact of neurological conditions, has proved increasingly beneficial in providing opportunities to participate in initiatives which have the potential to lead to improvement in the quality of life of patients and carers. Our main objectives are to:

- expand access to quality information and support for patients and carers;
- improve the skills of medical professionals and delivery of services to the public;
- raise the profile of neurological conditions and disabilities; and
- increase the level of research into neurological disorders.

Neurological conditions: The facts

Neurological conditions are the most common cause of serious disability and have a major, but often unrecognised, impact on health and social services. They affect all ages and people may experience the onset of a neurological condition at any time in their lives. The numbers of people with neurological conditions will grow sharply in the next two decades due to improved survival rates, improved general health care, increased longevity and improved diagnostic techniques.

There are 10 million people in the UK living with a neurological condition which has a significant impact on their lives. Of the 10 million living with a neurological condition:

- approximately 350,000 people (0.6% of the UK population) require help for most of their daily activities;

- over one million people (2% of the UK population) are disabled by their neurological condition; and

- over eight million people are affected by a neurological condition, but are able to manage their lives on a day-to-day basis.

Breaking this down further:

- Each year 600,000 (1% of the UK population) are newly diagnosed with a neurological condition

- 10% of visits to Accident and Emergency Departments are for a neurological condition

• 17% of GP consultations are for neurological symptoms

- 19% of hospital admissions are for a neurological problem requiring treatment from a neurologist or neurosurgeon (mostly stroke, epilepsy, dementia, headache, head injury and MS)

- Each year 200,000 children have an acquired brain injury (30% of people attending accident and emergency departments for head injury are children of 15 years and under)

- About one quarter of people aged between 16 and 64 with chronic disability have a neurological condition

- Approximately one third of disabled people living in residential care have a neurological condition

- Approximately 850,000 people in the UK care for someone with a neurological condition

For further information visit www.brainandspine.org.uk