Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Hope: A call to action for the next Scottish Government
An estimated one million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition that has a significant impact on their lives. The Scottish Burden of Disease estimates this number will rise by 34% in the next 20 years.
For too long people living with neurological conditions and those who care for them have been let down by health, social care and education systems. Scotland cannot afford – economically, socially, or morally – to ignore the needs of the 1 in 6 who live with neurological conditions and their loved ones. The next Scottish Government must act decisively to end inequality, support families, and invest in the future of neurological care.
Download our manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood Elections here.
Our Principles
The next Scottish Government must commit to building a health and care system that supports people with neurological conditions through:
1. Integration
- Seamless working between health and social care, primary, secondary and tertiary care, and across social security, education, and housing.
- Embedding of mental health support through all parts of the neurological journey for both adults and children.
- Multi-disciplinary care as the standard, with a shift from crisis response to prevention and early intervention.
2. Sustainable funding
- Long-term funding settlements that enable services, including third sector services, to plan and innovate.
- Recognition and support for the neurological third sector as a key partner in service delivery.
- Increased investment in neurological research.
3. Workforce readiness
- Addressing recruitment and retention gaps across all relevant professions.
- Better education and training on neurological conditions for all health and care professionals.
- More coordinated care between professionals and stronger support for unpaid carers.
4. Supporting a full life
- Provision of consistent and fair support for children with neurological conditions.
- Education that meets the needs of children with neurological conditions.
- Fair, efficient disability benefits and assessments that enable financial security.
- Support for carers to protect their health and remain economically active.
Our calls to action:
1. Targeted Investment in Neurology Services
- Expand the neurology workforce – consultants, nurses, allied health professionals. Increase diagnostic capacity (MRI, CT, specialist testing).
- Support the neurological third sector to deliver both specialist clinical services and vital social support.
- This will deliver faster diagnoses, earlier access to treatment, timely access to support and advice, and savings resulting from fewer emergency hospital admissions.
2. Universal Access to Care Coordinators
- Ensure care coordinators are appointed for those with co-morbidities, complex conditions and for children transitioning to adult services.
- Provide a single point of contact for navigating health, social care, and mental health services.
- This will deliver integrated care planning, reduce inequalities in access to support, and a single point of contact for patients.
3. Strengthen Social Care and Awareness of Neurological Needs
- Train social care, education, housing, and benefits staff in the complexities of neurological conditions to provide consistency in support.
- This will deliver stronger carer support, faster access to housing adaptations and improved access to financial support.
Become a Neuro Champion
We are calling on all parliamentary candidates to show their support for our principles by becoming a #NeuroChampion2026 using this form: Become a #NeuroChampion2026.
