The report found that, while health spending on neurological conditions increased by 38 per cent in real terms, from 2.1 billion in 2006-7 to 2.9 billion in 2009-10, "spending on social services ... has remained flat".

Services for these people "remain well below the quality requirements set out" in the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions, it noted.

It went on: "Unlike the Cancer and Stroke strategies the model used to implement the Framework has not worked.

"Implementation was left to local commissioners without the national leadership necessary to drive improvements."

Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP who chairs the committee, said: "The Cancer and Stroke strategies were headed by a Tsar and the Department monitored services with clear data against clear targets.

"For this clinical area, the Department left the implementation to local health commissioners but gave them no leadership at all."

She also said the Government "must set clear objectives" as the provision of health and social care became "decentralised" under its health reforms.

Paul Burstow, the Care Services Minister, said: "The Health and Social Care Bill offers a real opportunity to improve care and ensure people living with long-term neurological conditions get the best possible outcomes.

"It supports integration at every level to make sure people get the care and support they need at the right time and right place."

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Neurology 'tsar' needed as services 'not up to scratch'