Neurological patients experience long delays to see specialists, finds survey

People with neurological conditions, including epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, experience long delays before seeing specialists with nearly one in three waiting more than 12 months following a GP referral, a survey of more than 10 000 patients in England1 has shown.

The Neurological Alliance’s National Neurology Patient Experience Survey asked 10 339 patients about their experience of diagnosis, treatment, and care. Participants were recruited through 44 neurological units throughout England or through organisations representing patients with neurological conditions.

Results showed that 28% of respondents waited more than 12 months …