NHS logo on a blue background

NICE outlines new guideline for rehabilitation

17/10/2025

The Neurological Alliance has welcomed the publication of a new NICE guideline on rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders (NG252), which sets out comprehensive recommendations for how rehabilitation should be designed, commissioned and delivered across England.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produces evidence-based guidance for health and care services in England. While its recommendations are not mandatory, they are highly influential in shaping what good care looks like and are often used by the NHS to guide local service delivery.

The guideline covers children, young people and adults with “chronic” neurological conditions, including acquired brain and spinal cord injury, progressive neurological diseases, acquired peripheral nerve disorders and functional neurological disorders. It calls for rehabilitation to be person-centred, lifelong and integrated across hospital, community and social care settings, with coordination through a single point of contact and a holistic needs assessment that addresses mental health, social participation and independence as well as physical function.

Turning ambition into action

The guideline’s recommendations include:

  • Integrated pathways for children, young people and adults, supported by a clear lead for coordination and follow-up.
  • Single points of contact or key workers to help people navigate rehabilitation services. This mimics recommendations set out in the National Neuro Advisory Group (NNAG) optimal clinical pathways of care, available here.
  • Collaboration with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to co-design services and provide community-based support.
  • A stronger focus on emotional wellbeing, cognitive function and social participation, alongside physical recovery.
  • Workforce development and local capacity-building to address skills gaps in neurorehabilitation.

If fully implemented, these measures could help end unwarranted variation in neurological rehabilitation, support earlier intervention and reduce long-term inequalities in health outcomes.

A welcome focus on equitable, lifelong rehabilitation

NICE acknowledges that full implementation of the new framework may take up to a decade, but the publication represents a crucial turning point.

Georgina Carr, Chief Executive of The Neurological Alliance, said:

“This guideline could be transformative. It recognises that rehabilitation is not a one-off event, but a lifelong process that enables people to live well with neurological conditions. It rightly calls for joined-up, coordinated pathways from hospital to home, and for people affected by neurological conditions to be at the heart of service design — all long-held principles of the Neurological Alliance.

But guidance alone won’t change lives. Too many people are still waiting months or even years for the rehabilitation they need, or can’t access it at all. My Neuro Survey shows that more than half of adult respondents who needed outpatient neurorehabilitation couldn’t get it. To turn this guidance into action, we need urgent commitment to grow and support the neurological workforce, strengthen local capacity and make rehabilitation a fundamental part of every care pathway.”

Next steps

The Neurological Alliance is calling on Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), regions and NHS England to embed the new guideline in service planning and ensure equitable provision across the life course.

The Alliance also urges government to ensure that the forthcoming 10-Year NHS Workforce Plan prioritises the clinical neuroscience workforce, so there are enough skilled staff to deliver the standard of care NICE now defines.