Migraine clinics
Search our map and learn more about migraine clinics, including how to be referred.
Special note
Our migraine clinics list is for information only and focuses on helping doctors to refer patients.
It is the policy of The Migraine Trust to include only NHS clinics and registered charity clinics in this list of migraine and headache health services.
The Migraine Trust does not recommend any particular products or treatments for migraine, nor refer enquirers to specific health professionals, organisations or products.
Introduction
This page explains the role of migraine clinics in the management of migraine experienced by adults, how to be referred and what to expect if you visit a clinic.
For a list of specialist migraine and headache health services in the UK that are known to The Migraine Trust please scroll down to the map below.
What is a migraine clinic?
A headache or migraine clinic specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine and head pain. The clinics are often linked to a neurology department in a hospital and are directed by a consultant neurologist or doctor with a particular interest and expertise in migraine. They are usually staffed by multi-disciplinary teams.
A migraine clinic will be able to confirm if your attacks are migraine, review your current treatment and suggest ways in which you can manage your condition.
The clinic staff build up a wealth of expertise on the types of migraine, new treatments and will often be able to call upon the services of other experts.
We use the general term of migraine clinics to group together different types of NHS headache services including:
- Dedicated migraine and headache clinics
- Children’s migraine clinics, attached to Departments of Neurology or Paediatrics
- Neurology departments, with an interest in migraine and headache
- GPs with a Special Interest in headache and migraine (GPwSI).
There are a growing number of new community based services involving GPs with a special interest in migraine and headache. These are sometimes called intermediate care.
Does everyone with migraine need to attend a clinic?
Most people with migraine who ask for a doctor’s advice are cared for solely by their GP. At present, there are not enough specialist clinics to serve everyone with headache and migraine.
If you do not respond well to treatment or if your migraine attacks are not being well managed, further investigation may be needed. The reasons your GP may refer you on to a specialist clinic include:
- doubt over the diagnosis of migraine;
- a rarer form of migraine may be suspected;
- other headaches besides migraine are present and may complicate your diagnosis;
- the treatment is not working well for you;
- your migraine attacks or headaches are getting worse/more frequent;
- at your request.
How can I be referred to a migraine clinic?
All NHS migraine clinics will require a letter of referral from a medical practitioner before they will accept a new patient. This is most likely to be your GP but could be a hospital doctor or other healthcare professional within the NHS.
Do the clinics have long waiting lists?
The number of new patients that a clinic can see depends very much on the number of staff they have and their opening times. The majority of clinics in the UK are open for a few hours per week and most have a waiting list. For most people, the first appointment will take a few weeks, although some clinics have waiting lists of several months.
How should I prepare for my first visit?
A migraine diary
Before you attend the migraine clinic for your first appointment it is worthwhile to keep a diary of your attacks. Keeping a record of these can be very helpful in assisting the doctor to have a clear picture of what you are experiencing. This is also important because as there is no specific test to diagnose migraine, much will be based on your description.
Medication record
The doctor will need to know the names and doses of any medication you have tried before. This should include herbal remedies and complementary treatments (such as acupuncture, homeopathy, herbalism) that you have tried.
What will happen on my first appointment?
Your first visit to a clinic is likely to be much longer than the time you would usually spend with your GP. The doctor at the clinic will need to take a very detailed history about your condition including your medication (both prescription and over-the-counter drugs), any complementary or alternative remedies you are taking, when your migraines started and how often they occur. The doctor will ask about the ways in which you have taken your drugs – whether they have been in tablet form or through inhalers, injections or suppositories.
You will probably have a physical examination. This may provide important clues for the doctor. An awkward posture or tenderness in the muscles at the back of the neck, for example, are important to note as they may be a contributory factor to your migraine. During your first visit, do ask questions about your condition – this may save you unnecessary worries after your visit.
What treatment will I be offered?
The complex nature of migraine means that the treatments available are varied and differ from person to person. There is currently no cure for migraine.
Once the diagnosis of migraine has been confirmed, the clinic staff will be able to suggest ways in which you can manage the attacks. This may involve trying new medication, advice on lifestyle, suggestions on how to cope with your symptoms, and the self-management of your particular experience with migraine to help minimise its impact upon your everyday life.
Many people find that by analysing their lifestyle in detail, they can reduce the number of attacks and manage their condition effectively. This process can be quite complicated as there is more to reducing the number of migraine attacks than avoiding one food or drink. People rarely have one trigger factor which results in a migraine. In most cases, there is a build up of trigger factors, which may include weather changes, changes in sleep patterns, missing a meal and hormonal changes in women.
If your migraine attacks cannot be managed in this way the doctor may prescribe preventative drugs, although this is not needed for the majority of people with migraine.
Follow up visits
It is not always possible to make a diagnosis of migraine during your first appointment. That may take a series of visits and involve keeping a detailed diary. If you do not have migraine you may be referred to a centre that deals with your type of headache. After a few visits to a clinic, many people find that they do not need to return, as they can manage their own condition. You can of course be referred back again if the need arises.
After your visit the clinic will write to your GP to tell them about any treatment that has been suggested and keep them informed of any progress you make.
How can I find out about local clinics?
Just below you will find a list of the specialist migraine and headache health services in the UK that are known to The Migraine Trust.
Health professionals can submit details of NHS headache services here.
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Aberdeen
Headache Clinic, Allan Downie Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZN
http://www.nhsgrampian.org/neurology/
Note: Patients 16+ in NHS Grampian, Orkney, Shetland, Tayside and Highland via referral.
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Bath
Headache Clinic, Neurology Department, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, BA1 3NG
Note: Adults via GP or neurology referral. Patients also seen in Chippenham and Frome Community Hospitals.
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Bath - children
Headache Clinic, Neurology Department, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, BA1 3NG
http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/01225 824 218
Note: National service for patients under the age of 18 years via paediatrician referral.
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Belfast
Ulster Hospital, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, BT16 1RH
Note: GP led service.
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Birmingham
Birmingham City Hospital, DGM Buildling, Dudley Road, B18 7QH
http://www.swbh.nhs.uk/0121 507 5925
Note: For patients 16+ in West Midlands. Run by a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Headache.
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Bradford
The Ridge Medical Centre, Cousen Road, BD7 3JX
http://www.theridgemedicalpractice.nhs.uk/01274 425 600
Note: A GP led service for patients 16+ in Bradford Districts CCG via referral.
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Brighton
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, BN2 5BE
https://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/01273 696 955
Note: Patients aged 16+ in Brighton and Hove CCG via referral. GP led service.
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Buckinghamshire
Headache Clinic - Hillersdon, Hervines Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP6 5HS
Note: Managed by Dr Mark Weatherall, Consultant Neurologist. A botox clinic for chronic migraine patients aged 16+
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Cambridge
Headache Clinic, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, CB2 0QQ
http://www.cuh.org.uk/01223 245 151
Note: For adults aged 18+ via GP or neurology referral.
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Cambridge - children
Child Development Centre (Box 107), Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, CB2 0QQ
http://www.cuh.org.uk/01223 274 250
Note: For patients 2-16 years from Cambridgeshire via GP, paediatrician or parent referral.
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Cannock
Cannock Headache Service, The Colliery Practice, 60 Hednesford Street, WS11 1DJ
http://www.thecollierypractice.nhs.uk/01543 435 390
Note: A GP led service for patients in Stafford, Cannock and Rugeley via referral.
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Cardiff
Neurosciences Department, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, CF14 4XW
http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/029 2074 7747
Note: Patients over 16 years in Cardiff and Vale as well as elsewhere in South Wales if referred by consultant neurologist.
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Chichester
Neurology Department, St Richard's Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, PO19 6SE
http://www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk/01243 788 122
Note: For patients aged 17+ in Western Sussex via referral.
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Coventry
Neurosciences, 4th Floor Central, University Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road, CV2 2DX
http://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/0247 6964 000
Note: Patients over 15 years in Coventry and Rugby/North Warwickshire/South Warwickshire CCGs.
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Cumbria
Headache Service, Neurology Department, Penrith Hospital, CA11 8HX
https://www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/our-services/specialist-services/neurology01768 245 500
Note: A consultant led service for patients aged 16+ in Cumbria. Regular patient meetings are organised by the Cumbria Headache Forum.
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Exeter
Exeter Headache Clinic, St Thomas Health Centre, Cowick Street, EX4 1HJ
http://www.exeterheadacheclinic.org.uk/01392 676 679
Note: Adults 18+ in Devon CCG via GP referral. GP led service.
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Falkirk
Neurology Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Stirling Road, Larbert, FK5 4WR
http://nhsforthvalley.com/01324 566 355
Note: A general neurology clinic for adults via referral.
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Glasgow
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Govan, G51 4TF
http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/0141 201 1100
Note: For adults in Glasgow via referral.
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Glasgow - children
Royal Hospital for Children, 1345 Govan Road, Govan, G51 4TF
http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/0141 4524 170
Note: For patients under 16 years via referral.
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Gloucester
Neurology Department, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, GL1 3NN
http://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/0300 4226 644
Note: For patients over 16 years in Gloucestershire and local counties via referral.
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Hull
Headache Clinic, Neurology Department, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, HU3 2JZ
http://www.hey.nhs.uk/01482 675 591
Note: Patients aged 10+ in East Riding of Yorkshire and NHS Hull CCG, via GP or neurology referral.
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Kettering
Headache Clinic, Neurology Department, Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, NN16 8UZ
http://www.kgh.nhs.uk/01536 492 000
Note: For adults in Nene and Corby CCG via GP or neurology referral.
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Leeds
Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, LS1 3EX
http://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/01132 432 799
Note: For adults in Yorkshire via GP or neurology referral.
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Liverpool
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, L9 7LJ
http://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/0151 529 5725
Note: National service for patients 16+ offering both a specialist nurse clinician service and consultant neurologists via referral.
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London
Neurology Department, The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, London UB8 3NN
Note: • Consultant Neurologist • Botox clinic for chronic migraine
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London
Princess Margaret Migraine Clinic, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, W6 8RF
http://www.imperial.nhs.uk/services/neurology/020 3311 1194
Note: Patients aged 16+ from England and Wales via GP or neurology referral.
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London
Headache Clinic, Neurology Department, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/neurology/specialties/headache-clinic.aspx020 7188 7188
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London
Headache Service, INPUT Pain Management Unit, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7EH
http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/pain/input/overview.aspx020 7188 7188
Note: National service for adults via GP or neurology referral.
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London
The Headache Group (Box 80), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 8-11 Queen Square, WC1N 3BG
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/ServiceA-Z/Neuro/hsnhnn/HEADACHE/Pages/Home.aspx020 3448 3664
Note: National service for adults via referral.
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London
National Migraine Centre, 226 Walmer Road, W11 4ET
http://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/020 7251 3322
Note: Registered medical charity, independent from the NHS. Patients can self-refer (charge applies) or seek NHS referral.
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London
Headache Service, Neurology Department, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, SW17 0QT
https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/020 8725 4630
Note: For adults primarily in SW London and Surrey, but will accept referrals from anywhere in the UK.
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London
Headache Service, Neurology Department, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS
https://www.kch.nhs.uk/020 3299 5096
Note: National service for children and adults via GP, neurology or paediatrician referral.
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London
Neurology Department, Whipps Cross University Hospital, Whipps Cross Road, E11 1NR
http://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/020 8539 5522
Note: National service for patients 16+ via neurology referral.
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London - children
Paediatric Neurology, The Bays Building, St Mary's Hospital, South Wharf Road, W2 1NY
http://www.imperial.nhs.uk/stmarys/020 3312 6953
Note: Via consultant paediatrician referral.
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London - children
Children's Headache Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, WC1N 3JH
http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/020 7405 9200 ext. 0182
Note: 0-18 years, national referrals from paediatrician or neurologist.
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Newcastle upon Tyne
Neurology Department, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, NE1 4LP
http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/0191 282 6061
Note: For patients aged 16+ via NHS referral.
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Northampton
Neurology Department, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Cliftonville, NN1 5BD
http://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/01604 634 700
Note: Patients aged 16+ from Northamptonshire or further afield via referral.
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Norwich
Migraine Clinic, Neurology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, NR4 7UY
http://nnuhnhs.co.uk/01603 286 286
Note: For adults in Norfolk and Suffolk via referral.
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Nottingham - children
Paediatric Neurology, E Floor East Block, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, NG7 2UH
http://www.nuh.nhs.uk/0115 924 9924 ext. 63329
Note: For patients 0-18 years in the East Midlands via paediatrician referral.
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Orpington
Neurology Department, Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough Common, BR6 8ND
http://pruh.kch.nhs.uk/01689 865 872
Note: For patients aged 16+ in the greater Bromley area via referral.
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Oxford
Oxford Headache Centre, Level 3 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, OX3 9DU
http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/services/referrals/neurosciences/headache.aspx
Note: National service for adults via NHS referral.
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Plymouth
Neurosciences Department, Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Crownhill, PL6 8DH
http://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/0845 155 8155
Note: For patients over 16 in South West England via referral.
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Poole
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Longfleet Road, BH15 2JB
https://www.poole.nhs.uk/01202 665 511
Note: A general neurology clinic for adults in Dorset via referral.
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Salford
Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, M6 8HD
http://www.srft.nhs.uk/0161 206 5875
Note: National service for patients 16+ offering both tertiary neurologist-run and specialist nurse-run headache clinics via referral.
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Sunderland
Neurology Department, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, SR4 7TP
http://chsft.nhs.uk/0191 565 6256
Note: A headache clinic seeing adults via referral.
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Surrey
Neurology Department, Easy Surrey Hospital, Redhill, RH1 5RH
http://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/01293 600 300
Note: For patients over 16 years in Crawley CCG via referall. GP led service.
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Tameside
Neurology Department, Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Fountain Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9RW
http://www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk/0161 922 6000
Note: A general neurology clinic for adults in Tameside and Glossop CCG via referral.
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York
The York Headache Clinic, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, YO31 8HE
http://www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk/01904 725 751
Note: For patients aged 16+ in Vale of York CCG via referral.