What is the NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme?
The NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme is a national initiative that aims to improve care and treatment for adults with neurological conditions.
Background
People affected by neurological conditions should be able to access appropriate treatment and care across a range of health and care settings, including primary, secondary, tertiary and community care. Effective delivery of integrated care requires a “whole system approach”, so people can access the care they need when and where they need it, no matter where they live in England.
At the same time, not every integrated care system (ICS) area in England has specialist neuroscience services in it, meaning that people sometimes have to travel extraordinarily long distances to access the specialist advice and support they need. There is currently widespread unwarranted variation in the provision of neurology services (Neurology GIRFT Report 2021) and widespread inequity of service delivery. My Neuro Survey has further demonstrated that people affected by neurological conditions are subject to widespread variation in both access and experience of services.
The way in which services for people affected by neurological conditions are planned and commissioned is changing. From April 2025, the majority of health services for people affected by neurological conditions will be commissioned at an Integrated Care System (ICS) level. These services were previously commissioned nationally. From April 2025, the commissioning of specialised neurology services will be delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.
About the NHS England neurology transformation programme
The programme aims to provide support to ICBs and those working at ICS level to transformation care in their area. In doing so, the programme aims to ensure that people receive a faster diagnosis, more consistent care across the country, and better access to specialist services.
The key goals of the programme are to:
- Reduce waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.
- Improve coordination between GPs, hospitals, and specialists.
- Use new technology and research to enhance care.
- Ensure fair access to high-quality treatment, no matter where people live.
The Neurological Alliance works with NHS England to deliver the Programme
The Neurological Alliance works with NHS England to deliver the programme. This includes:
- Supporting member organisations and people affected by neurological conditions to speak directly to the policymakers and clinical leaders involved in the programme.
- As a member of the Neurology Transformation Programme Board, which meets quarterly.
- Working with NHS England to develop and disseminate key resources associated with the programme. This includes in partnership with the Neuro Academy, to deliver the National Neurology Transformation meeting.
What about other aspects of care for people with neurological conditions?
The programme covers adult neurology services only. Importantly, the programme does aim to promote integrated care across neuroscience specialities, including neurorehabilitation, neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry services.
However, not every aspect of care that people affected by neurological conditions may need has a specific national NHS transformation programme. In fact, most specialties across the NHS do not have a transformation programme.
Further work is therefore needed as a national and ICS level to promote the range of services that should be available to people affected by neurological conditions in a timely way. The Neurological Alliance will continue to pursue this aim, particularly through the publication and dissemination of the latest results from My Neuro Survey (2024 results are now being analysed).
