Cluster headaches are among the most severe pain conditions but are often misdiagnosed and under-treated in the NHS. We feel the name fails to reflect their extreme, disabling nature, reducing urgency. Patients can face delays, poor access to oxygen therapy, and limited specialist care.

We call on the UK Government to review training and awareness among NHS staff, ensure faster and consistent referrals to neurology specialists, and expand access to effective treatments including oxygen therapy. We think greater public and workplace awareness is needed, alongside increased research funding and better NHS data collection. We also urge review of how cluster headaches are classified and described to better reflect their severity and impact.