Why neurology can't wait

The NHS is struggling with long waiting lists for planned treatments, and people with brain and nerve conditions are among the hardest hit. Right now, more than 7.5 million people are waiting for care, and one in six people in the UK has a neurological condition like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, or chronic headaches. These numbers are expected to rise. One big problem is that there aren’t enough specialist doctors, and in some areas, the shortage is worse than others. This means patients often wait months for an appointment. Our research in Lancashire and South Cumbria shows that waiting times vary a lot depending on the condition—for example, people with seizures are seen much faster than those with movement disorders. To fix this, we need better systems to track what happens in clinics. Right now, most outpatient visits aren’t properly coded, so it’s hard to see where delays occur. New technology, like secure NHS data systems and artificial intelligence, could help by analyzing existing records and even automating some tasks. We also tested an innovative “direct-to-scan” service for patients with suspected brain cancer, which speeds up diagnosis and reduces unnecessary appointments. But these solutions need more resources to expand. What needs to happen? Make neurological conditions a priority. Use smarter data systems to plan services and cut waiting times. Remove barriers to new, efficient care pathways. These changes could improve lives and save money for the NHS and the economy. This is a brief summary of evidence we recently submitted to the UK Parliament.