Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to work with NHS England, commissioners and providers to use the new optimal clinical pathways for the benefit of patients with neurological conditions.

New optimal clinical pathways for a range of neurological conditions were developed by the National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG). These pathways set out what good treatment, care and support should look like across a range of neurological conditions. They also help to guide and facilitate the commissioning of high-quality, effective neurology services by integrated care boards (ICBs). The optimal clinical pathways are published on the NNAG website in an online-only format.

No formal assessment has been made of the potential impact of the new optimal clinical pathways for those with neurological conditions. The Department is working with the NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme in developing a toolkit of resources for ICB commissioners. The NHS England toolkit includes reference to the new optimal clinical pathways developed by the NNAG, signposting them as a resource for use in the continued development of local services.