Health Minister launches public consultation on Neurology Services in Northern Ireland

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has urged the public to have their say on the future of neurological care in Northern Ireland as he launches a major public consultation on the final report of the Regional Review of Neurology Services.

Speaking on Wednesday, May 7, the Minister described the consultation as a vital step towards delivering person-centred, responsive, and sustainable services for individuals living with neurological conditions.

“Today I am publishing the final report of the Neurology Review and launching a public consultation on the report’s analysis, key findings and proposed recommendations to drive improvements in future services,” said Mr Nesbitt.

The comprehensive review, initiated in December 2018, outlines the pressing need for reform, citing a significant shortfall in outpatient clinic capacity, extensive waiting lists, and vulnerabilities across current neurology services.

Completion of the report was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing limitations within the neurology workforce.

“It is clear that there is a long path ahead to ensure that people with neurological conditions in Northern Ireland have equitable access to responsive, person-centred and sustainable services,” the Minister said. “This is a once in a generation opportunity and it is critical that people engage with the consultation to inform a final Action Plan.”

The report sets out four key priority areas, each supported by a series of targeted recommendations:

• Making neurology a person-centred service

• Developing additional workforce capacity

• Addressing gaps in current services

• Using existing resources more effectively

The Minister acknowledged the challenging financial environment currently facing the Department of Health and the need for significant investment to fully implement the recommendations.

“The current constrained budget environment means that it will be highly challenging to find additional funding for this in the short term. Therefore, I will need to secure significant additional funding in future budget exercises to take this forward. However, I will carefully consider funding to implement the Neurology Review in the context of competing priorities and future budgets made available to my department,” he said.

The consultation is open until 5pm on 6 August 2025, with a series of public engagement events scheduled across Northern Ireland in the coming months. These events will present the report’s findings, allow questions from an expert panel, and encourage meaningful community participation in shaping the final action plan.

The Department has emphasised its commitment to incorporating the voices of those most affected.

The Chair of the Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance (niNCA) was involved in the review from the outset, and input from service users was sought through the Patient and Client Council Neurology Engagement Project.

The full report, consultation documents, and details of public events can be accessed here.

The Minister’s full Written Statement is available here.