Neuro survey reveals NHS gaps, with only a third of patients needs being met

People living with neurological conditions across England are being failed by a health system that is struggling to meet even basic needs, according to a new survey.

Published today by the Neurological Alliance, the survey reveals that just one in three respondents felt the care they receive meets their needs.

The situation is especially stark when it comes to mental health support. Many people report being refused access to existing mental health services because they have a neurological condition, and yet unable to access specialist mental health support either:

• 69 per cent of people who needed neuropsychiatry services couldn’t access them

• 62 per cent couldn’t access neuropsychology

• 48 per cent were unable to access counselling

Despite the challenges, the survey also highlights the positive impact of good care when it is accessible.

Seventy two per cent of people said they felt comfortable speaking with healthcare professionals, and 57 per cent reported that information was clearly explained.

In response, the Neurological Alliance has today launched an open letter to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, urging the Government to take urgent action for the more than one in six people living with a neurological condition in the country.

The letter is timely, given the Government will soon set out its much anticipated 10-year plan for the NHS and NHS Workforce delivery plan.

Despite neurological conditions affecting more than 1 in 6 people, the Government has not yet committed to specific measures for people affected by neurological conditions or neurological services within these plans.

Key calls to the Secretary of State are to:

• Tackle critical workforce shortages in neuroscience and associated specialties inthe forthcoming workforce plan.

• Ensure the NHS 10-year plan is supported by a specific implementation plan forservices for people affected by neurological conditions.

• Implement NHS guidance that seeks to ensuring no-one is turned away frommental health services due to their neurological diagnosis.

• Build a health system architecture that provides much needed clinical leadership and delivers transformation of services for people affected by neurological conditions. Draw from the extensive work undertaken within the NHS England national neuroscience transformation programme, National Neuro Advisory Group optimal clinical pathways of care and relevant Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programmes.

• Unlock the potential of the UK Neuro Forum by providing dedicated, time-limited government funding to support its coordination and engagement activities.

Liz Funnell’s partner Alan Glover was diagnosed with Corticobasal Degeneration. Liz describes her experiences with the healthcare system: “About and a half years after the first symptoms, the doctor said he no longer thought Alan had Parkinson’s. He barely looked up from his notes when he said that it was probably CBD and that there was no medication and no treatment. He wrote the name of the disease on a scrap of paper, told us to look it up, and said that he could send Alan to London, where he could get a firm diagnosis.

“We were all extremely distressed by the diagnosis, and Alan took it really badly. He found it hard to take and was in denial. He didn’t seek support, as he just wanted it to go away. This made it quite difficult for us to discuss the situation. One Sunday, I heard a sickening crash from upstairs.

“Alan had fallen whilst doing some stretches by himself and could not bear weight on one leg or pass urine. He was admitted to hospital where a lack of awareness of CBD meant they didn’t know where to put Alan and didn’t understand his limitations, including the inability to feed himself.”

Georgina Carr, CEO of the Neurological Alliance, said: “These survey findings are a stark reminder that people affected by neurological conditions are being left behind. One in six people lives with a neurological condition—yet care is too often fragmented, under-resourced, and poorly integrated, as Alan’s experience so clearly illustrates.

“We need urgent action to tackle workforce shortages in neuro specialties, deliver a

dedicated implementation plan for neuro services, and ensure no one is turned away from mental health support because of their neurological diagnosis.

“We know what good looks like: joined-up services, empowered professionals, and meaningful partnerships with the voluntary sector. Now is the time to act—and the forthcoming NHS workforce plan and 10-year strategy must deliver for the one in six.”

Dr Arani Nitkunan, consultant neurologist, said: “These findings are a wake-up call. As a neurologist, I see every day the adverse impact of fragmented, overstretched services on people living with neurological conditions.

“We are working in a system under immense strain—with too few specialists, long waits for diagnosis, and limited access to mental health support. If we are serious about delivering high-quality neurological care that helps people and supports them to live well, we urgently need a workforce plan that addresses the critical shortages in neurology and associated specialties.

“We also need a dedicated implementation plan to ensure the NHS 10-year strategy delivers for this vital area of care. No one should be turned away from support simply because they have a neurological diagnosis.”