Improved migraine care to reduce hospital stays

As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England has claimed that headache and migraine sufferers will benefit from better diagnosis, avoiding up to 16,500 emergency hospital admissions every year.

The greater use of ‘headache diaries’ and fast access to specialist advice for family doctors is widely believed to help improve the quality of life of millions, as well as reduce ongoing frontline NHS pressures.

Approximately 10 million people aged 15-69 in the UK suffer from migraines, which are classified as a disabling illness, while headaches are amongst the most common neurological reasons for attending A&E. IN fact, NHS Digital data shows that the number of admissions to hospitals in England for headaches and migraines has increased by 14 per cent over the last five years.

Across the same period, around 2.5 million primary care appointments have been linked to headaches and migraines, around 100,000 of which are referred to hospital for further assessment. In total, it is estimated that the NHS spends around £150 million per year on treating migraines and £250 million on care for headache sufferers.

The NHS RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit could help prevent 16,500 emergency hospital admissions every year if every local health group matches the performance of the best-performing areas with similar populations to their own.

This will be achieved through: improving the identification and diagnosis of headache disorders in primary care; supporting better decision making on referring people to hospital; providing patients with the guidance they need to self-manage their condition after diagnosis; and planning long-term care and treatment, including medication, in a more personalised way.

Hugh McCaughey, NHS National Director for Improvement, 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.”