NORTH WEST MUSCLE GROUP AND NEUROMUSCULAR SERVICES

Early day motion 1704, tabled 18 June 2009 by John Leech (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 21 members.

That this House welcomes the launch of the North West Muscle Group; notes that the new group is led by local families and people affected by muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions who will campaign to improve access to essential specialist care and support; is concerned to learn of the serious problems affecting the 6,500 people with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions living in the North West; further notes that access to multi-disciplinary specialist care improves overall health outcomes and survival for patients with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions; is deeply concerned that some patients are being denied access to multi-disciplinary specialist care; calls on the North West Specialised Commissioning Group, local primary care trusts and the Strategic Health Authority to take forward review of neuromuscular services which will identify areas of best practice and gaps in NHS service provision; and praises the campaign led by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, local families, health professionals and experts in these conditions who will work together to fight for good access to clinically effective, first class, specialised neuromuscular services across the North West region.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.