FOI 2025/1464

I am writing to submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
In May 2023, the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry published the UK Multidisciplinary Consensus Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) (Cheema et al., 2023), endorsed by the Association of British Neurologists and the Royal College of Physicians. These guidelines include audit and quality standards intended to standardise care for SIH patients across the NHS.
I would be grateful if you could provide the following information relating to neurology services commissioned by:
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB):
Adoption and Oversight of Guidelines
1. Has the ICB taken steps to ensure that commissioned neurology providers are aware of and follow the 2023 SIH consensus guideline?
2. Does the ICB hold any information on compliance or monitoring of adherence to this guideline by its providers?
Commissioned Neurology Services
3. Please provide a list of all NHS provider Trusts or organisations within your ICB footprint that deliver adult neurology services, including specialist neuroscience centres if applicable.
4. If possible, please confirm whether each of these providers offers:
a. MRI brain with contrast and spine MRI for suspected SIH.
b. Non-targeted epidural blood patches (EBP).
c. Access/referral to specialist services for myelography, targeted patching, surgery, or endovascular treatment.

Information Held by Providers
If the ICB does not hold some of the requested information, please confirm which provider(s) hold this information.

1. NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB) expects all providers to work to appropriate guidelines and standards. The ICB does not directly cascade specific guidelines to clinical services.
2. No.
3. For NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM), neurology services are delivered from the following provider trusts: –

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA)

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust – but delivered by Consultants from Salford Royal

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Neuroscience Centre – Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences (MCCN) – Salford Royal (can be located on the NCA website)

4. NHS GM does not hold the information requested; therefore, it will be necessary for you to contact the Trust’s directly for the information you seek. To assist, please find below links to their websites with information about how to make a Freedom of Information request.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust – Freedom of information – Bolton NHS FT (boltonft.nhs.uk)

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust – Freedom of Information Requests :: Northern Care Alliance

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust – Freedom of Information – Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (mft.nhs.uk)

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust – Freedom of Information Requests :: Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care (tamesideandglossopicft.nhs.uk)

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – WWL Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | FOI Disclosure Log