Specialist Huntington’s Disease Services

Early day motion 72, tabled 17 May 2022 by Hilary Benn (Labour). Signed by 112 members.

That this House notes that Huntington’s Disease is a rare, hereditary and incurable neurological condition that slowly robs patients of their ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, make decisions and care for themselves; notes that a University of Aberdeen study, published in the Journal of Neurology, highlights that the number of Huntington’s Disease cases in northern Scotland has increased by almost 50 per cent over the last 30 years and understands that there are likely to have been similar increases throughout the rest of the United Kingdom; further notes that the Scottish Huntington’s Association, the Huntington’s Disease Association of Northern Ireland and the Huntington’s Disease Association England and Wales have confirmed that Huntington’s Disease specialist staff are stretched to the limit, having had to deal with a rising number of cases without a commensurate increase in resources, with some areas having no specialist services at all; notes the often intolerable burden placed upon those caring for loved ones with Huntington’s Disease; and calls on health and social care providers throughout the UK to expand specialist Huntington’s Disease services and access to mental health and other essential support in order to help those living with Huntington’s Disease and their families in the community.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 43, Labour 34, Liberal Democrat 14, DUP 5, Independent 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Alba 2, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.