New analysis exposes year long waits: Alliance urges government action on neuro workforce
13/07/2026
As new analysis from The Telegraph highlights the scale of pressures facing neurological services, The Neurological Alliance is continuing to call for urgent action from the Government to address the neuro workforce shortage, publishing an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
The Alliance and 36 of its member organisations representing people affected by neurological conditions, researchers and healthcare professionals have signed the open letter calling on the Government to take urgent action to strengthen the specialist neurological workforce.
The open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care comes as new analysis from The Telegraph found that more than 2,100 people with an urgent referral to a neurologist have been waiting for over a year for their first appointment.
The Alliance says these delays are a symptom of longstanding workforce shortages and growing demand for neurological services.
A critical opportunity for change
The letter calls on Government to use the forthcoming NHS 10 Year Workforce Plan to improve care for the one in six people in England living with neurological conditions by taking three urgent actions:
- develop a Modern Service Framework, or national plan, for neurological conditions
- undertake an urgent assessment of capacity and capability across the specialist neurological workforce
- introduce a five-yearly census of the specialist neurological workforce to support long-term workforce planning.
More than 30 years after neurology was described by the then Secretary of State for Health and Care, as the NHS’s “Cinderella service”, the letter argues that people continue to experience fragmented care, long waits and unacceptable variation in access to specialist support.
Increase the workforce, not just activity
The Alliance argues that reducing waiting times requires more than increasing activity. Without the specialist workforce needed to meet growing demand, too many people will continue to wait for assessment, diagnosis and treatment, often while their condition deteriorates.
The letter also highlights the wider impact of neurological conditions, which are estimated to cost the UK economy £96 billion every year. Investing in the specialist workforce would improve outcomes for people affected while reducing pressure on the NHS, social care and the wider economy.
Ready to work with Government
Georgina Carr, Chief Executive of The Neurological Alliance, said:
“The figures published over the weekend reflect what people affected by neurological conditions have been telling us for years. Too many people are waiting months, and sometimes more than a year, for assessment, diagnosis and treatment, often while their condition deteriorates.
“The NHS 10 Year Workforce Plan is a real opportunity to address the longstanding workforce shortages that sit behind these delays. We need a clear national plan for neurological conditions, a better understanding of the specialist workforce we have today and the workforce we will need tomorrow, and the data to support effective long-term planning.
“We are proud to have brought together 36 organisations with a shared message for Government. The neurological community stands ready to work in partnership to deliver the improvements that people affected by neurological conditions need.”
