Shifting to the left: moving headache services towards primary care?

British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing 2026

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Authors: Jeban Ganesalingam, Mathew Garrod, Carla Horricks, Siobhan Jones, Susie Lagrata, Joe Laverty, Anne-Marie Logan, Rob Music, David Paling, Sue Thomas, David PB Watson, Martin Wilson
DOI: 10.12968/bjnn.2026.0007
Cited by: 0

Abstract

This article highlights findings and recommendations from a multidisciplinary roundtable organised by the Neurology Academy and held in Sheffield in October 2025. The event, jointly chaired by Martin Wilson and Sue Thomas, discussed how, in line with recommendations in the UK's 10 year health plan, headache and migraine services need to focus on a ‘shift to the left’ (moving services from secondary and tertiary to primary care). The authors explain how this would enable patients to be managed closer to home, prevent headache-related disability where feasible and enable the majority of patients to be managed in primary care, reserving specialist neurology referrals for only the most complex cases.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Migraine and Headache Studies Healthcare Systems and Technology Health Services Management and Policy

Publication details

Journal / source
British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
34–38
Publication date
2 February 2026
Language
EN