First UK Neuro Forum meeting identifies shared challenges in neurological care
The first ever UK Neuro Forum meeting was held this week. The Forum was announced by the UK Government at the end of 2024, following the #BackThe1in6 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.
Minister praises efforts of the neurological community
The UK Neuro Forum has been set up to find ways to improve care and support for people affected by neurological conditions, and acts as an advisory body for Government. The 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.
At the meeting, Ashely Dalton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, highlighted the important role of the forum as part of wider action to address challenges in the health service and praised UK Alliances and the neuro community for their collective efforts through the #BackThe1in6 campaign.
The first meeting focussed on how the Forum would work and areas where UK-wide collaboration is most impactful. The Representatives from all four Governments attended the meeting and outlined current policy priorities in their nation. Initiatives included developing the Acquired Brain Injury Strategy, the NHS England national neuroscience transformation programme and the current review of neurology services in Northern Ireland.
Shared challenges and opportunities
All attendees worked to identify areas where taking action together may help. In addition, and ahead of the meeting, the Neurological Alliances of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland held a workshop with members before the meeting to discuss the types of topics the Forum should address. In both discussions, the following were identified as important:
Building a workforce fit for the future
Addressing issues in cross-border care
Supporting research and research partnerships
Building quality data about neurological conditions
Improving transition between paediatric and adult services
Addressing variation in care
Translating success in research into quality of life by considering the treatment and therapy pipeline for neurological conditions for the next decade
The Neurological Alliance also called for the Forum to work transparently, and to commit to involving people affected by neurological conditions throughout the group’s workplan.
Now the work really begins
Commenting on the first meeting, Ana Palazon, Wales Neurological Alliance, Carla Smyth, Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance, Georgina Carr, Neurological Alliance (England) and Keith Park, Neurological Alliance of Scotland, said:
“We’re delighted the UK Neuro Forum has had a strong start, with clear enthusiasm from all four corners of the UK for improvements to care now in the future. An overstretched workforce, cross-border care and preparing for new treatments and therapies, were all identified as key areas of shared concern, and we’re confident the Forum is well placed to make a real difference in these areas.
Now these shared challenges have been identified, the work really begins. We’re committed to working with Government to make the most of the opportunity the Forum presents to improve care, and ensure the voices of the neurological community are heard in the process.”
Next steps
The next meeting of the Forum is likely to take place in Autumn 2025. Ahead of the meeting, we will work with the neurological community and Government to refine the Forum’s workplan and define the policy levers available to support positive change.
Importantly, Neurological Alliance’s across the UK will work together to make sure members and people affected by neurological conditions influence and engage in the work of the Forum.
