Written question WQ100081

The Welsh Government’s aim is to ensure that people of all ages who are living with, or affected by, a neurological condition — including headache disorders — have timely and equitable access to high-quality services that support them to live well. This aim is set out in the Quality Statement for neurological conditions.

Health boards and NHS trusts are expected to use Quality Statements to guide the planning and delivery of high-quality services. This includes ensuring services are aligned with clinical standards and guidelines, and working with relevant partners in Wales, and across the border in England where appropriate, to strengthen pathways of care.

National support to implement Quality Statements is provided by NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. In 2025, it published Headache advice and guidance, which provides specialist information for primary care to support:

• effective management in the community; and

• timely access to secondary care, where this is appropriate.

In Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Living Well Service is supporting the development of a Chronic Headache Pathway. This work is intended to improve local specialist care and reduce reliance on tertiary referrals. The pathway will include repatriating Welsh patients currently referred to the Walton Centre in Liverpool, enabling them to receive care and support closer to home.

The Living Well Service was established, and continues to develop and grow, with Welsh Government Adferiad funding. Its 2025 UK Advancing Healthcare Award for delivering multi-professional community services reflects the strength of this approach. The service provides a strong platform for delivering integrated care closer to home, while maintaining access to specialist expertise.