………address………..
……MP name……
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
…..date…….
Dear ……MP name………………..,
Re: Primary Headache Disorders in ……constituency name…….
As a member of your constituency I am writing to you to express concern regarding NHS services for
primary headache disorders e.g. migraine, cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia etc. Primary
headache disorders are extremely disabling and highly prevalent, headache affects 90% of the
population at some time. Approximately 1 in 7 people suffer with migraine alone, classed by the
World Health Organisation as one of the top 20 leading causes of disability amongst adults1.
………………Personal experience/impact of primary headache disorder……..Experience of using local
NHS services………
The APPG on Primary Headache Disorders recent report ‘Headache Services in England’ found that:
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Headache is the most common neurological reason for A&E attendance.
4% of adults consult a GP each year for headache or migraine.
Significant rates of misdiagnosis, mismanagement and poor public awareness are resulting in
misuse of NHS services, resource wastage and poor outcomes.
Owing to a lack of clarity on commission responsibilities patients with the most disabling
forms of the condition, and who require the most specialised treatment, are losing out the
most.
Primary headache disorders cost the UK economy an estimated £5-7 billion a year. Migraine
is the second highest reason for short-term sickness absence amongst non manual
employees.
Health provision for primary headache disorder services can be both improved and made
more cost-effective, saving capacity in overstretched neurology outpatient and A&E
departments.
A national strategy to address the burden of primary headache disorders in England is
needed.
I am interested to hear more about the provision of headache services in ……constituency name……
In particular:
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1
How many people living in ……constituency name…….. have been diagnosed with a primary
headache disorder e.g. migraine, cluster headache etc.?
The World Health Organisation: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs277/en/
Continued......
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How many GPs with a special interest in headache deliver a primary care headache clinic in
…….constituency name………?
How much of the local NHS budget is allocated to primary headache disorders?
I welcome your views on the findings of the report and APPG’s recommendations. I hope you agree
that given the prevalence of primary headache disorders locally and nationally this is an important
issue that needs addressing. I respectfully request that you raise concerns regarding the burden of
primary headache disorders, and the insufficient provision of services, with the Secretary of State for
Health on behalf of your constituents.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
……….name………