Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that access to neurological treatments and specialist support is determined by clinical need rather than by geography.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of avoidable hospital admissions for neurological conditions. However, we recognise that preventable unplanned hospital admissions can have a significant impact on patients, including deterioration in health and quality of life, as well as placing pressure on NHS services and on wider economic costs.

Improving national standards in neurological care helps to reduce avoidable hospital admissions by ensuring earlier diagnosis, consistent management and timely access to specialist support, as well as ensuring that access to treatment and support for people with neurological conditions is based on clinical need rather than geography. National tools such as guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NHS England’s revised adult neurology service specification and national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) and NHS RightCare support integrated pathways and community‑based care, reducing geographic variation and helping prevent avoidable deterioration that can otherwise lead to emergency admission.

The Government will continue to consider evidence on improving outcomes and reducing avoidable admissions for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.