Our policy groups
Where there are policies or strategic plans that are pan-neurological, the Neurological Alliance of Scotland works with our membership through our Policy Group and relevant subgroups to create a response.
Policy Group
The policy group was established to identify common areas of interest that NAoS should campaign on and consultation opportunities. The group participants share expertise across relevant policy areas, building collective knowledge and raising awareness of key issues.
The group meets every three months.
Read the Policy Group’s Terms of Reference here.
Mental Health Subgroup
The Mental Health subgroup aims to articulate NAoS’ position on mental health for those affected by neurological conditions to key policy makers and other stakeholders and follow through with the recommendations outlined in our 2024 report, Recommendations for Better Mental Health Support for People Affected by Neurological Conditions. The current focus of the subgroup is establishing resources on the impact of neurological conditions on the mental health of children and young people and adults for Local Authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships. The group will also develop a new mental health webpage to provide a centralised information bank for resources and support on our website.
The subgroup meets every three months.
The Mental Health subgroup’s Terms of Reference will be uploaded shortly.
Election subgroup
The 2026 Holyrood election is an opportunity for NAoS members to collectively campaign for improvements in neurological services, support and the ongoing sustainability of the neurological third sector. The Election subgroup was established to plan NAoS’ engagement with incumbent and new candidates in the lead up to the 2026 elections, using our manifesto which was developed by the Manifesto subgroup.
The subgroup meets every 3 months.
Read the Election subgroup’s Terms of Reference here.
Our policy work
As and when we submit a consultation response or publish an open letter, we will put the information up on this page here:
- In August 2025, NAoS co-signed an open letter, along with 200+ other health and social care organisations, to the First Minister, calling for immediate steps to address the current crisis threatening the sector. You can read the letter here.
- In July 2025, NAoS submitted a response to the Long Term Conditions Framework consultation. This response was co-written with charity members. You can read our response here: Neurological Alliance of Scotland, Long Term Conditions Framework Consultation Response
- In June 2025, NAoS recieved a response from Ashley Dalton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, in reply to our open letter calling for greater investment into research on neurological conditions, co-signed by 74 member charities. You can read the response here.
- In March 2025, NAoS an open letter to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, endorsed by 74 member organisations and the four UK Alliances, calling for greater investment into research on neurological conditions. You can read our letter here.
- In February 2025, NAoS submitted an open letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, regarding our concerns over the loss of a neurology framework for Scotland. The letter was endorsed by 34 member charities. You can read our letter here.
- In February 2025, NAoS submitted a recommendation to the UK Spending Review on behalf of the Neurological Alliances of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland outlining the disparity in funding for neurological condition research and calling for the UK Government to prioritise neurological conditions in research investment. You can read our submission here.
- In January 2025, NAoS submitted a detailed response to the Scottish Government’s Palliative Care Matters for All: strategy consultation. You can read our response here.
- In September 2024 Alice Struthers, Programme Director, published a blog about the Minister’s response to NAoS member questions on the National Care Service. You can read the response here.
- In August 2024, we hosted a meeting with Edel Harris, Chair of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, so members could share their feedback on the new system directly to the review. This coincided with the official consultation period for the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment.
- In August 2024, we submitted a detailed response to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill Calls for Views. This response was drafted in collaboration with our members. You can read our response here: Response from The Neurological Alliance of Scotland- Call for Views
- In June 2024, Alice Struthers, Programme Director, gave to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee regarding the Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill (Stage 1).
- In May 2024 the Mental Health Subgroup published their Mental Health Report: Recommendations for better mental health support for people affected by neurological conditions. The report was sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, and the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto MSP.
- In March 2024 we welcomed the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP to our Members’ Meeting to discuss the draft National Care Service Bill. Minutes available here.
- In April 2023, we submitted a response regarding the mobility component of the Adult Disability Payment. You can read the NAoS submission here.
- In August 2022 we wrote to the Minister for Women, Maree Todd MSP about the Women’s Health Plan, which does not include neurology. We received a response in September 2022 from the Chief Medical Office.
- In December 2021 we submitted a response to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Scotland consultation, which you can read here.
- In November 2021 we submitted a response to the National Care Service consultation which you can read here.
