A vision for neuro neighbourhood health
Our report, A Vision for Neuro Neighbourhood Health (July 2026), sets out practical and achievable steps to include neurological conditions in the Government’s plans for neighbourhood health, and make effective specialist-informed care closer to home a reality for people with neurological conditions.
At least 1 in 6 people in England have a neurological condition. Neurological conditions are among the country’s largest and most complex areas of health need. Yet care for this group remains fragmented, slow and difficult to navigate. The NHS shift to neighbourhood health, organising care around people and places rather than institutions, creates a major opportunity to change this if neurological care is explicitly included.
Defining neuro neighbourhood health
Our report defines neuro neighbourhood health as specialist-informed care and support for people with neurological conditions delivered locally, proactively and holistically, offering targeted support informed by risk stratification and with clear, continuous links to specialist expertise.
What neuro neighbourhood health means in practice
In practice, this means GPs, allied health professionals, mental health practitioners and voluntary sector partners working as integrated teams; more prevalent conditions managed in primary care; routine monitoring and rehabilitation delivered in community settings; and fast-track pathways for people with rapidly progressive conditions requiring urgent access to respiratory support, palliative care or specialist review.
Integrated, specialist-informed care closer to home
The balance between neighbourhood, community, specialist and supra-specialist provision will vary according to the condition, complexity and stage of disease. Specialist centres remain essential for complex diagnosis, advanced treatment and clinical oversight, but specialist expertise should remain actively connected throughout pathways through outreach, virtual MDTs, shared care arrangements, specialist community services and structured advice and guidance, enabling care to be delivered closer to home without creating separate neighbourhood and specialist pathways.
Integrated Neurology Systems provide the infrastructure through which neighbourhood, community, specialist and supra-specialist services can work as a connected system of care.
Six key enablers for delivery
Six enablers are critical to delivery: a workforce with the capacity, support, skills and hybrid roles to bridge community and specialist care; voluntary and community organisations recognised and funded as core partners; co-production with people affected by neurological conditions; connected data and governance systems; commissioning that rewards coordination and prevention; and equity built into service design from the outset.
National and local action can make this vision a reality
National and local action is required to make this vision a reality. DHSC and NHS England should develop a Modern Service Framework for neurological conditions, publish outstanding service specifications and workforce plans, maintain national clinical leadership through the current period of structural change and ensure leadership is in place within new Department of Health and Social Care structures. Integrated Care Boards should designate neurological conditions as a priority cohort, appoint named leads, commission end-to-end integrated pathways and invest in community neuroscience capacity.
Neurological conditions are not a niche issue but a test of whether the NHS can deliver integrated, person‑centred care for people with complex, long‑term needs. If neighbourhood health works for neuro, it will work for everyone.
Read our report, A Vision For Neuro Neighbourhood Health, here.
