Epidemiology of some neurological diseases with special reference to work load on the NHS.

This paper reviews evidence relating to the incidence, prevalence, and likely workload upon the NHS in relation to neurological diseases, particularly those causing long-term disability. Three studies suggest that a population of 250,000 people will contain about 5000 people with disabling neurological disease, of whom 1500 will be sufficiently disabled to require daily assistance. The review highlights the scarcity of reliable information concerning the epidemiology of neurological diseases and their disabilities, and emphasizes the need to plan neurological services at the level of the district general hospital serving a population of 250,000 people.