ICD 11 Neurosciences: End Product and Implementation

Change in the WHO happens slowly for obvious reasons. The current ICD10 was released nearly 30 years ago. The time has come to change and move on. The WHO topic advisory group on Neurosciences was formed in 2009 and started work immediately. The whole scene of Neurosciences was reviewed thoroughly and a new classification produced. The nervous system disease section is on the ICD11 platform open for inspection and comment. Major advances in genetics, immunology, imaging, and therapeutics have changed the landscape beyond recognition. ICD11 however allowed a most crucial re-adjustment related to Stroke in all its guises. Since 1955 stroke has been classed as vascular disease and hence classified under diseases of blood vessels. This matters hugely to the fields of neurology and rehabilitation, as resources have been misplaced and the final losers were the patients and their carers. This has been rectified in ICD11 as stroke is classified as a disease of the nervous system, allowing recognition by governments and funders. Moreover, all five thousand diagnostic labels have a short definition, which helps to better identify all conditions. The ICD 11 is open to public comments and a specialist medical and scientific advisory committee responds to comments. It remains for all those involved in the production of the nervous system chapter to watch and see the implementation over the course of the next decade.