What We Do

The ABN Services Committee (SC) aims to support the membership in driving forward excellent services in the UK. With representation from every region, we collaborate closely with the Neurological Alliance and the NHS England National Clinical Director for Neurology. Our regional representatives ensure efficient information flow throughout the system, and we meet bimonthly for focused 45-minute sessions. 

The Services Committee is currently focusing on the following key workstreams:

1. Workforce - Crafting a detailed document on the neurological workforce needed for a population of 100,000
   
2. Good Practices - Identifying and scaling three areas of excellent neurological practice nationwide
   
   • Headache (specifically migraine)
   • GIRFT Southampton Guidance On Discharge/Follow-Up (published October 2022) 
   • Advice & Guidance
     
3. FND- 2025 Update
4. Paediatric to Adult transition - We are working with the British Paediatric Neurology Association to improve this

2024 - 2025 Highlights

As the primary aim of the ABN Services committee is to support membership to drive forward excellent services across the UK, having all regional representatives in place is key and has now been achieved.  These representatives are key to disseminating information to and from regions.  We would like to thank them and the other committee members for all their hard work over the last year. These highlights are summarised in the 2025 Services Committee Poster. 

We have identified a poorly covered region and created a new region role – North Yorkshire and Humber.

In the last year, the key achievements are:

1. Job Planning Document
   The previous ABN document was revised and published in November 2024.  This is to help individual members and trusts to ensure they align with expected practice.
   Click to view the document here.
   
   
2. Frequently Asked Questions for Neurology Advice and Guidance
   This document was published in February 2025. It suggests responses to commonly asked questions posed by GPs.
   Click to view the document here.
   
   
3. Workforce Document
   The committee continues to work on the neurological workforce needed for a population of 100,000. We hope to publish this later this year. This is work progressing a report the ABN published in 2020. 
   
   
4. Brain Workforce
   Together with the Royal College of Physicians and National Clinical Directors for Neurology and Stroke, we are working to ensure closer alignment to improve services.
   
   
5. Acute Neurology
   We have liaised with NHS England and GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) to produce guidance to support Integrated Care Boards and service providers in delivering acute neurology services closer to home.  This is due to be published shortly. More information can be found on the NHS Futures website.
   
   
6. Input
   We have contributed thoughts into other key documents such as NHS England Neurology Service Specifications. We have encouraged completion of the biannual patient survey organised by Neurological Alliance – My Neuro Survey. 

To view our 2023 - 2024 highlights, read our 2024 ABN Services Committee Poster here.

To view our 2022 - 2023 highlights, read out 2023 ABN Services Committee Poster here.

Service Committee Members

We are always eager to welcome members interested in contributing their insights and expertise. If you are an ABN member and would like to participate in Services Committee activities please get in touch. The committee is supported by Sarah at the ABN Office.