UK Government launches first-ever forum to address gaps in
treatment and care for people affected by neurological conditions
Today (Thursday 28 November 2024) Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
State at the Department of Health and Social Care, has announced a new UK-wide forum will
be set up to find ways to improve care and support for people affected by neurological
conditions.
The announcement follows a long-standing campaign led by The Neurological Alliance
together with The Neurological Alliance of Scotland, Wales Neurological Alliance and the
Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance and supported by over 100 organisations and
more than 19,000 people.
The “Back The 1 in 6” campaign called on UK Governments to establish a Neuro Taskforce to
address key challenges facing people affected by neurological conditions including delays to
treatment and care, a lack of mental health and wellbeing support and insufficient information
at the point of diagnosis. The campaign was underpinned by the experiences of over 8,500
people who responded to My Neuro Survey, the largest neurological patient experience survey
in the UK.
The forum will unite clinical leaders, organisations, and people with lived experience of
neurological conditions to tackle shared challenges. Shaped by those it serves, the forum will
aim to drive real progress in areas where UK-wide collaboration is most impactful. It will aim
to address unwarranted variation in access to care across the country, and drive personcentred care.
The Neuro Forum will hold formal, biannual meetings across the Department for Health and
Social Care, NHS England, devolved governments and Neurological Alliances of all four UK
nations. This is the first UK-wide government forum focusing on services and support for
people affected by neurological conditions. Work is underway to deliver the first forum
meeting in early 2025 with a further meeting in the summer and ongoing bi-annual meetings in
the years ahead.
Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and
Social Care, said:
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:
“I am proud to welcome the launch of the UK Neuro Forum. This long overdue forum will help
address common concerns and challenges experienced by people affected by neurological
conditions, which are too often overlooked.
“This initiative will unite governments, clinical leaders and campaigners to tackle shared
challenges and drive UK-wide collaboration to improve gaps in treatment and care of people
with conditions that impact the nervous system.”
Leaders of the four UK Neurological Alliances said:
“After years of campaigning with our members and community, we’re delighted the
Government has announced this landmark initiative, which has the potential to improve
services for people affected by neurological conditions now and in the future.
Taking a UK-wide approach to developing solutions and sharing best practice across systems
and nations is a positive step towards improving services for everyone affected by
neurological conditions. The forum is proof that when we work together, we can achieve real
change. Crucially, it also shows the government is listening to the neurological community.
We are working closely with the Department to develop and deliver the forum and will ensure
that the issues that matter most to people affected by neurological conditions are at the heart
of its work.”
Trishna, Rebbecca, Rhys, Jeanette, Debbie and Jeanie, the Back the 1 in 6 campaign coproduction group, said:
“For too long, our needs have been overlooked, but the UK Neuro Forum shows that our voices
are finally being heard at a national level. There’s power in numbers. We are all individuals, but
together we are a much louder voice, and today’s announcement is evidence of that.
People living with neurological conditions have been central to the campaign that has led to
the Forum. It is vital that this continues in the work to come. It’s only by working together in
partnership and bringing together our diverse voices that we can build a future where everyone
with a neurological condition gets the care and support they deserve, no matter where they
live.”
ENDS
For more information about The Neurological Alliance and the #BackThe1in6 campaign, visit
https://www.neural.org.uk/