All-Party Parliamentary Group on Neurological Conditions

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Neurological Conditions
Name	All-Party Parliamentary Group on Neurological Conditions
Type	Cross-party informal group
Founded	1996
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Headquarters	Palace of Westminster, London
Leader title	Chair
Leader name	Lord Ramsbotham

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Neurological Conditions is a cross-party informal group within the Parliament of the United Kingdom that concentrates on neurological disorders, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. The group brings together members from the House of Commons, House of Lords, non-governmental organizations such as the Stroke Association, the Alzheimer's Society, and academic institutions including the University of Oxford and University College London to influence legislative and health service responses to conditions like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. It interfaces with NHS bodies including NHS England and research funders such as the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Overview

The group functions as a forum where parliamentarians including MPs and peers from parties such as the Conservative Party (UK), the Labour Party (UK), the Liberal Democrats (UK), and the Scottish National Party collaborate with charities like Mencap, professional bodies such as the Royal College of Physicians, research centres like the Institute of Neurology (UCL), and patient groups including Brain Tumour Charity and Migraine Trust. Through inquiries, roundtables, and stakeholder briefings involving institutions such as Public Health England and the National Health Service (England), the group seeks to raise the profile of neurological conditions within parliamentary processes including debates in the House of Commons and questions in the House of Lords.

History and Establishment

Established in 1996 amid rising policy attention to long-term conditions, the group emerged alongside contemporaneous initiatives such as the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust reorganizations and reports from the Royal Society on medical research. Founding supporters included MPs with interests in health and constituencies affected by conditions covered by organizations like the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Over time the group has responded to major events and reports such as the National Service Framework for Long-Term Conditions, inquiries by the Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom), and research outputs from centres like the Francis Crick Institute and Cambridge Institute for Medical Research.

Objectives and Activities

Key objectives include improving diagnosis pathways referenced in guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, enhancing service provision within NHS Trusts like Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, and promoting biomedical research funded by bodies such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Activities encompass parliamentary briefings, evidence sessions with academics from King's College London and Imperial College London, collaborative campaigns with charities including Sensory Integration Network and Royal Voluntary Service, and engagement with regulatory bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises cross-party parliamentarians from constituencies represented by stakeholders including the League Against Cruel Sports (for campaigning overlaps), chairs drawn from peers such as members of the House of Lords, and vice-chairs who liaise with professional organizations like the British Medical Association. Governance follows the conventions for APPGs with officers registered under rules administered by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and secretariat support often provided by charities including the Action for M.E. and think tanks such as the Nuffield Trust.

Reports, Inquiries and Publications

The group has commissioned and published reports and evidence-based briefings produced in partnership with institutions like the National Brain Appeal, the Health Foundation, and university departments at the University of Manchester and University of Edinburgh. Topics have included workforce capacity in NHS Scotland settings, access to specialist neurology services in trusts such as Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, and implementation of clinical guidelines from NICE. Publications have informed parliamentary inquiries by committees including the Health and Social Care Committee (House of Commons) and influenced policy documents drafted by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Advocacy and Impact

Advocacy by the group has contributed to increased ministerial attention from offices such as the Department for Work and Pensions on disability benefits for people with neurological conditions, spurred commissioning changes in regional bodies like Clinical Commissioning Groups and influenced national strategies including elements of the Five Year Forward View. Collaborative campaigns with charities such as the Alzheimer's Society and Epilepsy Action have led to improved service pathways in NHS providers, heightened research funding from the Medical Research Council, and amendments in parliamentary debates addressing care standards highlighted by the Care Quality Commission.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding and partnership arrangements include secretariat support and research funding from charities such as the Stroke Association, grants and collaborative projects with academic funders including the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation, and in-kind contributions from NHS institutions like University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. The group registers interests under the rules monitored by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and works with a range of partners including advocacy organizations like the Royal College of Nursing and research consortia involving the European Research Council.

Category:Parliamentary groups in the United Kingdom Category:Neurology in the United Kingdom