Public Policy in MND Care: The United Kingdom

Abstract

There are over 4700 people living with MND in the United Kingdom and 1350 are diagnosed annually. Health care is provided within the universal National Health Service provision but social care, such as personal care, some equipment and respite care, is provided through local councils and is variable. Most people with MND are cared for at home, but MND Care and Research Centres across the United Kingdom provide specialist multidisciplinary team care. Palliative care is widely available, and under the NICE Guidelines there should be palliative care representation on the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) from diagnosis. There is strong advocacy for people with MND from the MND Association of England and Wales and MND Scotland. The future of MND care in the United Kingdom will be based on the implementation of the NICE Guidelines and the development of increased skills to provide multidisciplinary care for patients and families. There is a challenge to continue to develop these services and to provide social care, within financial restraints.