Neurological Alliance Australia

20/08/2026

The Neurological Alliance Australia's Neuro Service Gaps and Innovation Survey report highlights widespread challenges in accessing timely, coordinated, and affordable care across Australia, alongside gaps in research investment, innovation, and the translation of evidence into practice.

Across the resulting recommendations, two cross-cutting imperatives are particularly clear: improving coordination and navigation across systems and reducing inequities in access to care and support.

Together, the findings demonstrate the need for a nationally coordinated approach to neurological care and research. Without action, delays, inequities, workforce shortages, and fragmented care will continue to limit outcomes for millions of Australians living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions, as well as their families and carers.

Read more about the Neuro Service Gaps and Innovation Survey 👉 https://bit.ly/3SxBNp0

19/08/2026

Last week we launched the findings of NAA’s inaugural Neuro Survey (https://neurologicalalliance.org.au/first-ever-national-neurological-survey-reveals-australians-facing-widespread-barriers-to-care/) at our Neuro Summit, adding powerful new evidence to the case for a coordinated for a National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions.

Among the 3805 respondents, 1 in 2 reported difficulty accessing neurological care; nearly 1 in 3 waited more than four years for a diagnosis; almost half delayed or skipped care because of cost; only 4 in 10 describe their care as coordinated. Together, these findings paint a concerning picture of a healthcare system struggling to meet the needs of people with neurological and neuromuscular conditions, and the need for coordinated national action to ensure systemic change.

We are very grateful to the organisations whose generous support made this important initiative possible.

19/08/2026

Last week we launched the Priority Action Plan for a Neurological Nursing Workforce Strategy (https://neurologicalalliance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Priority-Action-Plan-for-a-Neurological-Nursing-Workforce-Strategy-August-2026-Final.pdf) at the NAA Neuro Summit. The plan highlights the importance of strengthening Australia’s neurological nursing workforce and sets out a pathway to support better, more coordinated care for millions of Australians living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions, and their families and carers.

The plan is intended to be a living document enabling it to evolve in line with the recently released National Nursing Workforce Strategy and other relevant health and workforce reforms.

We are very grateful to the organisations whose generous support made the development of this important initiative possible.

17/08/2026

The Neurological Alliance Australia's Neuro Service Gaps and Innovation Survey report highlights
widespread challenges in accessing timely, coordinated, and affordable care across Australia, alongside gaps in research investment, innovation, and the translation of evidence into practice.

The findings reveal consistent gaps across neurological care, support, research and innovation. They reinforce persistent challenges in early diagnosis, accessing timely and affordable treatment and care, navigating fragmented systems, and coordinating services. The findings also highlight workforce constraints, inequities in access, and gaps in research awareness, participation and translation into practice.

Despite advances in treatment and growing recognition of neurological and neuromuscular
conditions, many people continue to experience a system that is difficult to access, fragmented in delivery, and inconsistent in meeting their needs.

Read more about the Neuro Service Gaps and Innovation Survey 👉 https://bit.ly/3SxBNp0

17/08/2026

Last week’s NAA Neuro Summit was framed around from momentum to action: the case for a National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions’.
We have a Blueprint (https://neurologicalalliance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Blueprint-for-National-Action-Plan-25-Aug-2025_FINAL.pdf). We are building the evidence. And we have growing momentum.
What Australia now needs is a decision to act with a funded National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions that delivers greater recognition, coordination and investment for the millions of Australians living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions.
We are also very grateful to the organisations whose generous support helped make the Summit such a success:

13/08/2026

Today, Neurological Alliance Australia gathered at Parliament house for the 2026 Neurological Summit. This event brought together people with lived experience, parliamentarians, clinicians, researchers, sector leaders and the neurological community to identify practical opportunities to improve neurological care, research and outcomes for Australians living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions, and for the families and carers who support them.

Award-winning journalist and emcee, Tracey Spicer AM opened the event welcoming all in attendance and discussed the purpose of the summit. NAA Chair and MS Australia CEO, Rohan Greenland shared his opening remarks, emphasising the importance of a National Neurological Action Plan.

Neurologist, Dr Kaitlyn Parratt, joined by Elise Bailey, a person living with chronic migraine, shared lived experience of seeking medical care and discussed why a National Action Plan for neurological conditions is necessary.

Dr Trish Cook MP, Dr Helen Haines MP, Joe Kelly MP and Dr Anne Webster MP joined a panel discussion on the need to build a dedicated neurological nursing workforce strategy, including training, career pathways and advanced practice roles.

Dr Haines MP highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare for people living with neurological conditions.

“Everybody has a role in the health team and I know the challenges of trying to access specialist care in rural and remote areas is huge. These gaps can be plugged by nurse care.”

Dr Tennille Luker, MS Australia’s Head of Research, launched the inaugural NAA Neuro Survey Insights Report, shared its findings and the necessary next steps to improve care for people with neurological and neuromuscular conditions.

“The findings call for a nationally coordinated approach so neurological care is timely, equitable and responsive to the people it serves.”

A panel of lived experience experts discussed navigating Australia’s health and service systems, the barriers they face, and what is required for meaningful change. Panel member Michael Klim OAM emphasised the importance of giving equal attention and care to neurological conditions regardless of rarity.

“There is no condition that is too rare for the Australian Government to act on and fund support for. Every life and every family is as important as another.”

Tracey Spicer summarised key Summit themes, audience priorities and immediate next steps, including how the Summit outputs will inform future advocacy and policy engagement.

“Australians living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions shouldn’t have to depend on where they live to receive timely, coordinated and appropriate care.”

NAA Deputy Chair and Emerge CEO, Anne Wilson shared her closing remarks to end the NAA's 2026 Neurological Summit.

“Your voices and insights must remain at the center of what happens next. It’s so critical that lived experience voices be heard.”

12/08/2026

The Neurological Alliance Australia's Neurological Summit has begun at Parliament house this morning. This event brings together people with lived experience, parliamentarians, clinicians, researchers, sector leaders and the neurological community to identify practical opportunities to improve neurological care, research and outcomes for Australians living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions, and for the families and carers who support them.

The Summit will highlight new evidence about the experiences of Australians living with neurological conditions, advance the case for a stronger neurological nursing workforce, and continue the national conversation about the need for a coordinated National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions.

The NAA has today released the findings of the inaugural Neurological Survey which has revealed widespread gaps in coordinated care, leaving many people without the timely, equitable and effective care and support they need.

Read the full report and executive summary of the neurological survey: https://bit.ly/3SxBNp0

12/08/2026

Australia's first national survey of people affected by neurological conditions has revealed widespread gaps in coordinated care, leaving many people without the timely, equitable and effective care and support they need.

The inaugural Neurological Alliance Australia (NAA) Neuro Survey gathered the experiences and perspectives of 3,805 Australians, providing the first national picture of the challenges faced by people affected by neurological conditions.

Key findings include:

• fewer than four in ten described their care as coordinated
• more than half of respondents experienced difficulty accessing neurological care
• nearly one in three waited more than four years for a diagnosis
• nearly half delayed or skipped healthcare because of cost
• just one in ten said they felt fully supported by their healthcare team.

NAA Chair Rohan Greenland said the survey shows people living with neurological conditions are being let down at multiple points across the health system.
"For someone living with a progressive, fluctuating or complex neurological condition, a delay in one part of the system can severely impact their health, independence, employment, family and future care needs," Mr Greenland said.

James Dunn, who lives with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), said the survey reflected many of the challenges he has experienced.
Before his diagnosis, James spent years building his legal career before co-founding a national consulting business but was forced to abandon his career to focus on managing his health.

"Living with a complex neurological condition isn't just about managing the condition itself. It's about navigating a complex healthcare system, dozens of appointments, specialists, tests and treatments, sometimes outside your state or territory, while carrying significant ongoing costs, and often without the coordinated care and support you need.

"No matter what neurological condition people are living with, too many of us are facing the same barriers to getting the timely, effective and affordable care and support we need,” Mr Dunn said.

The findings are consistent with broader Australian evidence showing that people living with long-term and complex health conditions continue to face significant barriers across the health system.

NAA is calling on all Australian governments to work alongside people with lived experience, carers, clinicians, researchers and community organisations to develop and implement a National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions, supported by state and territory plans.

Read the full media release:

Australia's first national survey of people affected by neurological conditions has revealed widespread gaps in coordinated care, leaving many people without

22/07/2026

Executive Officer David Ali spoke at today’s Brain Health Collaboration Summit at the Florey Institute, calling for coordinated national action on neurological health. He highlighted NAA’s Blueprint for a National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions (https://neurologicalalliance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Blueprint-for-National-Action-Plan-25-Aug-2025_FINAL.pdf) and the need for a broader brain health agenda spanning care, research and prevention.

22/07/2026

We are marking World Brain Day today by calling for an urgent national brain health agenda that connects prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and supports, and research. Read our statement: https://neurologicalalliance.org.au/naa-calls-for-national-plan-for-neurological-conditions-a-7-billion-a-year-win-for-government/