OUCH (UK) at Parliament.
On 4th March, Headache UK and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Headache Disorders held a joint reception at the House of Commons. Amongst the guests were representatives from all the five member charities, the APPG, MP’s, representatives from hospitals and neurology departments throughout the UK, pharmaceutical and oxygen companies, we even managed to attract the DeputySpeaker Sir Alan Haslehurst.
StephenO’Brien MP, Shadow Minister for Health and chair of the APPG on Headache Disorders opened the event and then Professor Peter Goadsby addressed the gathering on the lack of government funding for research into all headache disorders and how we fall behind our European partners in this area of medical research funding. There is a huge need for it; the loss to the economy through absenteeism caused by headache is enormous and more than justifies serious funding consideration by the government.
Stephen O’Brien has tabled a new Early Day Motion No. 1102: “That this House notes that up to 15 per cent of the population in the UK suffer from headache disorders and in the wider population headache is an almost universal experience; notes that headaches and migraines are under- diagnosed and inadequately treated in the UK and that quality of life implications are not appreciated; is concerned that there is a lack of research and adequate provision of training and services; and asks the Government to give this urgent consideration.”
As a member of Headache UK, OUCH (UK) has been asked to encourage members to write to their MP’s asking them to sign up in support of this motion.
The entire board of OUCH (UK) attended the event; it was a golden opportunity for us to meet with those who matter in parliamentary, medical and pharmaceutical circles and some very helpful, hopeful and important links have been made in all three areas. Over 150 attended the reception which was very good turnout for a parliamentary event.
