New clinical pathway for neuromuscular conditions launched

11 September 2024

Today (Wednesday 11 September) a new optimal clinical pathway of care for neuromuscular conditions has been published.  

The pathway, supported by NHS England, has been developed by the Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG) in collaboration with healthcare professionals and patient groups supporting people with neuromuscular conditions. We’re a member of the group alongside the Neurological Alliance, British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, British Peripheral Nerve Society and Association of British Neurologists.  

What is the pathway  

The pathway is designed to support local services to develop plans to address gaps in provision for people affected by conditions, improve care, and support everyone to access the right treatment and care at the right time. 

It sets out what good treatment, care and support looks like for people affected by a neuromuscular condition. Outlining the ‘optimal pathway’ from diagnosis, ongoing management and end-of-life care, and identifies potential efficiency savings too.  

The new optimal clinical pathway is part of a suite of optimal clinical pathways across a range of health conditions and supports the commissioning of quality services for people with conditions, locally and nationally.  

Addressing gaps  

Our Director of Care, Campaigns and Support, Rob Burley said: “We fully support the launch of the new clinical pathway for neuromuscular conditions, where we had the opportunity to share input from the muscle wasting and weakening community. For someone living with a neuromuscular condition, the right care is essential at every point of their unique journey from diagnosis through to ongoing management.  

“We would urge commissioners and providers to use the Pathway to help address gaps in provision to ultimately improve care, support, and ensure that everyone has access to the right treatment and condition management. 

“Specialist neuromuscular centres are an important part of the pathway, and we look forward to publishing the findings of our audit of these services later this year, which provide further insight and examples of best practice for providers and commissioners 

Dr Andria Merrison, clinical lead for the pathway and consultant neurologist, said: 

“It is great news that the Neuromuscular clinical pathway has now been published, forming part of a new service specification for Neurology that will underpin future commissioning of services by NHS England. It has been formed by national collaboration with people living with Neuromuscular conditions and their representing organisations, clinicians and commissioners.

“It has been a real pleasure to work with a wide range of brilliant and committed people. My particular thanks go to Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Neurological Alliance, who were instrumental in designing this pathway and bringing it to publication. In so doing there is every opportunity to improve multi-disciplinary services for people living with Neuromuscular conditions throughout the country.”

Next steps  

The launch comes at a critical time, as Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), statutory bodies that are responsible for planning and funding most NHS services in key areas, are preparing for their new responsibilities. Therefore, the pathway can be used to improve local services to meet the needs of the muscle wasting and weakening community and deliver efficiency savings across the system.  

Allowing clinical directors, service managers, local commissioners, the voluntary sector, people affected by conditions to assess the availability of key services in their area and identify gaps in provision. 

As part of the group, we urge NHS England, commissioners and providers to use this pathway to ensure that the principles outlined are followed.