A specialist headache nurse at University Hospitals Sussex has been appointed to a national advisory role to help shape and improve care for people living with headache and migraine across the country.
Claire Fisher, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Headache and the Neurology Operational Delivery Network, has joined the British Association for the Study of Headache (BASH) Council, bringing her expertise and experience to national discussions about the future of headache care.
Claire said: “It’s a real honour to join the council as an honorary advisor, particularly at such an exciting time for headache care.
“There is so much happening both nationally and across the South East to improve how people with headache and migraine are diagnosed, treated and supported.
“We’ve seen locally the difference that closer working between GPs and specialist teams, earlier access to treatment and clearer care pathways can make for patients.
“I’m really looking forward to contributing our experience, learning from colleagues across the country and bringing that knowledge back to help us continue improving care for patients across Sussex.”
Claire’s appointment also comes as work progresses nationally and regionally to improve headache care.
The national Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Headache Pathway in the NHS has recently been launched to support primary care clinicians and pharmacists to diagnose and treat different headache disorders with greater confidence and identify patients who may need urgent care.
This reflects work already underway at UHSussex where the specialist headache team launched a migraine pathway last year to give GPs clearer guidance and quicker access to specialist advice. The approach supports earlier use of preventative treatments and more timely referrals, helping people with migraine receive the right treatment sooner.
Headache care has also been identified as a priority for the South East Neuroscience and Trauma Strategic Network, with work focused on improving access to migraine treatments and reducing variation in care for patients.
Claire’s appointment reflects the ambition of the Trust to provide Excellent Care Everywhere, recognising colleagues who are sharing their expertise nationally while bringing new learning and the latest developments in headache treatment back to Sussex.