Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce stigma associated with migraine in workplaces and wider society.

The Government recognises that migraine is a serious neurological condition and that poor access to care and services can be exacerbated by stigma among healthcare professionals around the condition, while some employers may also not fully understand the condition and its impact on employees too. We are committed to ensuring that people suffering from migraines are supported effectively.

Comprehensive information on migraine, including symptoms and treatment options, is available on the National Health Service website. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has also published clinical guidance, Headaches: Diagnosis and management of headaches in young people and adults, which sets out evidence based best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment and support of people who suffer from migraines.

We expect integrated care boards to have regard to NHS England’s RightCare Headache and Migraines Toolkit, which aims to improve the diagnosis and management of headache disorders in primary and community care settings.

The three shifts outlined in the recently published 10 Year Health Plan will support people with long-term conditions, including those with migraines, to better manage their conditions and access services closer to home. Shifting care to community-based Neighbourhood Centres, expanding the role of pharmacy, the expansion of care plans, and the use of digital tools to help patients manage their condition and understand their attack patterns, will all provide for earlier, more consistent, and more accessible care for people with migraine.

The Government offers tailored guidance to employers on supporting disabled people and people with health conditions in the workplace, through its Support with Employee Health and Disability Service. This includes guidance on disclosures and having conversations about health and disabilities, plus guidance on legal obligations and making reasonable adjustments.