Sir Gavin Williamson took part in a parliamentary debate to discuss the treatment of migraines with the Minister for Health and Secondary Care.
Sir Gavin joined MPs to address access to treatment for the 10 million people in the UK who live with the condition. He highlighted the difficulties in accessing CGRP Blockers, drugs that can prevent and treat acute migraine. Sir Gavin has written to the CEO of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, Peter Axon, to ask what is being done to improve migraine treatment in Staffordshire.
Sir Gavin also argued that more attention should be given to understanding migraine in the workplace, as a survey from the Migraine Trust has revealed that 34% of sufferers feel discriminated against at work.
Despite the fact that migraine is so prevalent in the UK, a report from the Migraine Trust, “Heading the Wrong Way”, found that people with migraine were consistently receiving inadequate care. The report found that the condition is often misunderstood as “just a headache”, resulting in many receiving a lack of specialist care and provision of treatments.
Sir Gavin said: “Migraine is a condition that is so widespread and yet so misunderstood. I hope that the Minister will reflect on the points made during the debate and will consider what he can do to vastly improve the lives of so many. I have taken up the issue with my local Integrated Care Board and hope to see fruitful discussions on improving migraine care in Staffordshire.”
