Labyrinthitis: Health Services

Vestibular and balance disorders can significantly affect an individual's balance, mobility, and ability to carry out daily activities, which may in some cases affect their ability to work. The Government remains committed to improving timely diagnosis and care for people with these conditions, and ensuring that they are able to access clear information and support, including through the NHS.UK website, which offers accessible guidance on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and signposts to relevant support where appropriate.

The Department also supports healthcare professionals to identify and manage vestibular and balance disorders through evidence-based guidance. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on ‘Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral’, reference code NG127, includes specific recommendations for the assessment and management of adults presenting with dizziness and vertigo, and helps clinicians identify when specialist referral may be appropriate.

Additionally, NICE provides Clinical Knowledge Summaries on vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuronitis, and Ménière's disease. Alongside NG127, this guidance helps general practitioners to recognise potential vestibular disorders, undertake appropriate initial assessment, and refer patients for specialist investigation where necessary. Clinicians are expected to have regard to NICE guidance when making decisions about patient care.

The Department does not currently hold the requested data on average waiting times, or regional variations in diagnosis and treatment, but we remain determined to reduce waiting times and regional variations across all areas of National Health Service support, while empowering integrated care boards to plan services according to the needs of their local populations.