Calling for a National Clinical Director for neurology in England

More than 30 charities have supported a joint letter coordinated by the Neurological Alliance of England calling on NHS England and NHS Improvement to appoint a National Clinical Director (NCD) for neurology. The call comes as the NHS in England is undergoing substantial reform.

The letter notes that as a group we believe that an NCD for neurology would:

• help to ensure the needs of people with neurological conditions are represented at a national level
• strengthen clinical leadership for neurology across the NHS
• put neurology leadership on the same level with other specialisms in the health system, such as stroke and dementia, for which NCDs have already been appointed.

There are multiple programmes to improve health and care services at a national level being implemented across the NHS in England. Many of these will have an impact on services for people with neurological conditions. The letter calls for an NCD for neurology to provide clear oversight and strategic direction for these initiatives.

Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: “Now is the time for NHS England and NHS Improvement to invest in a Clinical Director for Neurology. 

“As the NHS recovers from the pandemic, people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions need an internal NHS champion to ensure these major NHS transformation programmes really deliver better health and care services for people living with neurological conditions. 

“We know our supporters face significant challenges to access the care and treatment they need to stay well and the pandemic has only made this more difficult. 

“We want the NHS’s finite resources to really make a difference for the neurological community now and in the future and we believe a new Clinical Director will help raise the profile of neurological services and put the speciality on a similar footing to cancer, dementia and heart disease.”

We’ll keep you informed of any progress on this matter.