Neurological Alliance sets out tests for NHS 10 Year Plan to transform services for the 1 in 6

22/01/2025

The Neurological Alliance has set out three key tests to ensure the NHS 10 Year Plan for England transforms services for the 1 in 6 people living with neurological conditions.

The alliance is renewing its call to ensure the plan transforms services for people affected by neurological conditions as the 10 Year Plan Partners’ Council, of which The Neurological Alliance is a member, meets today to discuss the content of the plan ahead of its publication in Spring/Summer 2025.

NHS 10 year plan for England consultation response

In October the Government launched a public consultation on the future of the NHS to help inform a new 10-Year Plan for the NHS in England. The Neurological Alliance has set out the tests as part of its organisational response to the NHS 10 year plan consultation. The consultation response was shaped by input from people affected by neurological conditions and alliance member organisations.

The Government have already set out the three ‘big shifts’ in healthcare that they want to deliver over the next ten years:

  • Moving more care from hospitals to communities – including delivering more tests, scans, treatments and therapies nearer to where people live.
  • Analogue to digital – improving how the NHS uses technology across health and care.
  • Sickness to prevention – spotting illness earlier and tackling the causes of ill health.

Three tests to deliver for the 1 in 6

The Neurological Alliance has set out three key tests to measure whether the plan delivers for the 1 in 6 people in England living with neurological conditions.  The 10-Year Health Plan for England must deliver for people affected by neurological conditions by:

  1. Delivering responsive and compassionate care closer to home for people with neurological conditions now and in the future. This includes ensuring the plan supports the growth, retention and sustainability of a neuro health workforce fit for the future.
  2. Exploiting the promise of data, digital and tech for people affected by neurological conditions.
  3. Reducing the risk of onset, and prevent progression of, or harm caused by neurological conditions.

Our recommendations

We’ve made clear evidence-based recommendations to ensure the plan passes these tests and delivers for people affected by neurological conditions, in the short, medium and long-term.

These include:

  • Establishing a long-term workforce plan to expand training in neuroscience and understanding of neurological conditions across the NHS.
  • Following best practice care pathways, including optimal clinical pathways.
  • Making quality NHS data on access to services for people affected by neurological conditions available in the public domain.
  • Removing barriers to accessing services to manage symptoms and minimise progression of neurological conditions were possible, including specialist neuro rehabilitation.
  • Support research that enhances our understanding of how to reduce the onset of neurological conditions, as appropriate.

Read our list of key actions for the plan here. Read our full consultation response here.

A strong voice for change on Partners’ Council

The Neurological Alliance has been invited to join the 10 Year Plan Partners’ Council, a group set up by the Department of Health and Social Care to provide ongoing input into the plan. The council includes representatives from health and care professional bodies, the charity sector and healthcare providers.

Today, our Chief Executive, Georgina Carr, will be attending  a Partners’ Council meeting, another important opportunity to make the case for the three tests and ensure the plan improves treatment, care and support for people affected by neurological conditions.

Next steps

The Change.NHS consultation into the 10 Year Plan for England is still open to individuals. If you haven’t already, we’d encourage anyone affected by neurological conditions (over 16 and living in England) to share their experiences and respond to the consultation here.

The Neurological Alliance will continue working closely with policymakers, NHS leaders, and our member organisations to ensure the needs of people affected by neurological conditions are embedded in the plan. Thank you to everyone who helped shape our consultation response.