Over 40 organisations have called on the Government to take action to support the one in six people affected by neurological conditions in the forthcoming Major Conditions Strategy.
Despite the prevalence of neurological conditions in society, the Government’s statement announcing the Strategy mentioned just three – dementia, cancer and stroke.
To ensure that the millions of people in England who are affected by neurological conditions, 44 organisations, led by The Neurological Alliance, have written an open letter to Stephen Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to urge the Government to look more widely.
The letter argues that through the naming of just three neurological-related conditions, this is a serious limitation in what the Major Conditions Strategy can deliver, with the huge impact in terms of quality of life, personal independence and financial situation of people living with neurological illness.
“For too long, neurosciences have been at the back of the queue of Government priorities in health and social care,” says the letter.
“There is a clear alignment between neurological conditions and the stated aims of the proposed Major Conditions Strategy, offering a vital and long overdue opportunity to transform treatment, care and support for the one in six of us with a neurological condition.”
Neurological conditions are the main cause of disability globally, and the second leading cause of death. Statistics show that in 2020, the total cost of neurological disorders in Europe was $1.06 trillion, equivalent to the cost of heart diseases, cancer and diabetes combined.
The letter also notes that many of the conditions mentioned in the Secretary of State’s announcement, namely cancers, dementia and mental ill health intersect closely with neurological conditions. For example:
- The likelihood of having a co-morbid mental health condition is high for people living with a neurological condition, and mental, emotional and cognitive health problems are often caused by physical damage to the brain or atypical biological characteristics within the brain
- Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, and women with the neurological condition neurofibromatosis type 1 have an increased risk of breast cancer
- Around three in 10 people with Parkinson’s have Parkinson’s-related dementia at any one time.
The letter includes a request for a meeting with the Secretary of State and for the inclusion of neurological conditions in the proposed Major Conditions Strategy.
Georgina Carr, chief executive of The Neurological Alliance – a coalition of over 90 organisations working to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions – said: “The individual, societal and economic impacts of neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraine are painfully clear, but the Government’s strategy to tackle them is not.
“It is high time Government backed the one in six, and showed their commitment to improving treatment, care and support for people affected by neurological conditions.
“The Major Conditions Strategy could be a golden opportunity to improve the quality of life for millions of people, by ensuring it sets out an ambitious vision to reduce the impact of neurological conditions now and in the future.
“We and our members urge Government to ensure the strategy works for people affected by neurological conditions, and stand ready to input.”
Trishna Bharadia, who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), said: “As someone living with MS for the past 15 years and who has friends and family members affected by this and other neurological conditions, I know first-hand the impact that such conditions have on people’s lives, work, relationships and wellbeing.
“It can be severe, long-lasting and have a hugely detrimental effect on the quality of life of people living these conditions and their caregivers.
“The Government has the opportunity through including neurological conditions as part of the Major Conditions Strategy, to improve the lives of the millions of us who are directly impacted. It is an opportunity that should not be missed.”
Dr Arani Nitkunan, consultant neurologist and trustee of the Neurological Alliance, said: “My colleagues and I see the devastating impact neurological conditions can have every day. Despite our best efforts to provide the best support for everyone, we are overstretched and overlooked by commissioners.
“Ensuring neurological conditions are tackled as part of the Major Conditions strategy would help us go further, and mean that people with neurological conditions and services like mine are listened to at the highest forms of Government.”
