NHS pledge to take pain out of migraines

HEALTH bosses yesterday announced plans to cut the number of hospital admissions due to migraines and headaches by 16,500 each year.

Greater use of illness diaries to help self-manage conditions and faster access to specialist advice for family doctors are among measures proposed to ease pressure on frontline services.

NHS England will also issue a toolkit to help local health groups understand the scale of the problem in their area and plan long-term care and treatment.

The number of emergency admissions for headaches and migraines has risen 14 per cent over the past five years from 95,54 in 2014/15 to 10 ,711 in 201 /19.

Hugh McCaughley, NHS director for improvement, said: ‘Headaches and migraines can place a heavy burden on sufferers, the NHS and wider economy.

‘But we know there are local health services which are doing really well in meeting people’s needs early and reducing the need for hospital care.’

Around ten million people between 16 and 69 get migraines. It costs the NHS £150million in treatment each year and the economy £4.4billion in sick days.