Health chiefs have unveiled plans to use technology to "transform" support for patients living with neurological conditions.

New apps and a website are being developed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) to help those suffering from conditions such as Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and migraines.

The aim is to create a digital ‘one-stop shop’ for local patients, who will be able to access guidance at the touch of a button to help them live well in the community.

The service will contain a host of information, including advice on symptom management, help with common issues such as sleep or memory and links to support groups and charities.

It will also provide referral guidelines for local GPs to help them identify the most appropriate pathway for their patients, reducing the need for people to attend hospital appointments when care is available in the community.

Eilidh Gallagher, clinical service manager at NHSGGC, has welcomed the plans for the new apps, which will take around a year to develop.

She said: “For many patients who are newly diagnosed with a neurological condition, one of the biggest challenges they face is access to information. The internet is bursting with information but finding reliable sources can be extremely difficult.

“When patients first come to us, we try our best to equip them with the knowledge they might need but, in those early days of coming to terms with a neurological diagnosis, it’s all too easy for patients to forget what they have been told or simply to lose the literature they have been given.

“These new apps and website will change all that. When the resource is up and running it will contain advice, information and links to services that patients and their carers and loved ones can trust and that they can access anywhere, 24 hours a day."

Ms Gallagher also highlighted the benefits the referral guidelines will provide to GPs who want to access appropriate care for their patients.

“Because of the range of neurological conditions and the sheer number of care and support services available, supplied by NHSGGC or our partner organisations and charities, GPs may find it a real challenge to identify the most appropriate pathway for their patient," she said.

"This may result in GPs referring patients to hospital when other pathways may be more appropriate.

“By giving GPs clear referral guidelines, the new apps and website will help address this issue and potentially reduce unnecessary referrals to hospitals, allowing patients who need to be seen in hospital to receive the care they need more quickly.

“It really will be a one-stop shop for patients and everybody involved with their care.”