Plan to improve migraine care unveiled

Thursday January 2nd, 2020

NHS officials have unveiled a plan to improve care of migraine and reduce hospital admissions for the problem.

According to NHS England, its proposals could prevent up to 16,500 emergency admissions annually.

It proposes ensuring GPs have fast access to specialist advice together with the use of headache diaries by patients.

According to the latest figures, the condition was responsible for more than 108,000 emergency admissions in the year 2018-19. This compared with 95,000 four years previously.

The problem affects around ten million people.

NHS England says its new toolkit will help improve diagnosis and decisions about when to refer patients to hospital. It also sets out how long-term treatment, including medication, can be personalised.

It says that about 5% of patients can receive the GammaCore gadget, which provides an alternative to traditional treatments and stimulates the vagus nerve.

NHS national director for improvement Hugh McCaughey said: “Headaches and migraines can place a heavy burden on sufferers, the NHS and the wider economy, but we know that there are local health services which are doing really well in meeting people’s needs early in the community, and therefore reducing the need for hospital care.

“As they work with staff, patients and local partners to implement the NHS Long Term Plan, this initiative will provide all local NHS leaders with the information and proven ideas they need to deliver high-quality headache and migraine services to every communities.”

Tags: Brain & Neurology | NHS | Pain Relief | UK News

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