Migraines are one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting more than 10 million people in the UK. If you don’t suffer yourself, the chances are you know someone who does so I am very grateful to my colleague, Dehenna Davison MP, who recently led the first debate in Parliament on migraine for over 60 years. I have provided a link to the Access to migraine treatment debate here:
Access to Migraine Treatment - Hansard - UK Parliament
Dehenna spoke movingly about her own experience of living with migraine, as well as highlighting the impact of longer waiting times for seeing specialists and the challenge of accessing new treatments like CGRP blockers. CGRP blockers have been recognised as being effective in helping reduce the severity, longevity and frequency of migraine attacks, but I know that many people with migraine have difficulty accessing this treatment in their local area.
During the Westminster Hall debate, Andrew Stephenson – the Minister for Health and Secondary Care – committed to asking the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to consider extending prescribing rights for CGRP blockers to primary care professionals. Ultimately, however, responsibility for funding treatments that are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) lies with local Integrated Care Boards.
The Migraine Trust's report, "Heading in the Wrong Direction" presents concerning findings about rising waiting times for specialist migraine care, and access to specialist headache clinics. Let me assure you that the Government is committed to reducing waiting times, with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan setting out how the number of doctors, nurses and other professionals will be increased and actions to improve staff retention.
I am also supportive of organisations like The Migraine Trust who fund research into migraines and seek a greater understanding of the condition as well as further treatment opportunities. I know that migraines can be extremely debilitating - limiting daily activity, the ability to work and socialise as well as negatively impacting mental health. Although, as a government minister, I was unable to attend the Westminster Hall debate, I recognise that there is more that needs to be done to improve migraine care and will continue to follow any developments closely
