News

Survey shows more support needed for Muscular Dystrophy

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign highlight poor access to services in their document “State of the Nation: The 2008 National Survey.” Launched prior to Muscle Awareness Week (20 – 27 September 2008), the survey reveals a postcode lottery of care with many being denied essential health and social care services. The survey canvassed details from 4000 people throughout the UK living with muscle disease. The main findings were that half had to pay for their own wheelchairs. Three quarters of carers had no access to respite and that half of all patients did not have contact with any relevant specialists. A similar number being unemployed. The full document is available at www.muscular-dystrophy.org. Muscular Dystrophy Campaign must be congratulated on such a comprehensive and thought provoking study that should be the catalyst for much needed improvement of services.Philip Butcher, Chief Executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, commented that:
“Our survey reveals that there are significant inequalities in access to vital specialist care across the UK. For some families, access to specialist care can be a matter of life or death. Their plight is made worse by the considerable delays and variations in the provision of essential equipment and the barriers that exist to living independently”. Attending the Liberal Democrat conference, Shadow Secretary of State for Health Norman Lamb MP, is quoted on the website as commenting that: “Despite the Government’s numerous published commitments to ensuring patients with chronic conditions can access the right care and support, it is clear from today’s report that this simply isn’t happening for thousands of families across the UK.”

Glasgow's New Centre for Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary, opened the new alcohol and drug addiction centre at Gartnavel Royal Hospital Glasgow on the 21^st August. The centre is named after Peter Kershaw, a former Glasgow Psychiatrist, it offers co-ordinated drug and alcohol services under “one roof”. The service will support those whose complex needs cannot be managed in the community. Ms Sturgeon is reported as saying “it’s a fantastic facility” Alcohol and drug misuse not only causes neurological complications but it is increasingly recognised that those with long term neurological conditions are more susceptible to substance misuse. Evidence is scant but a recent study suggests that 20% of people affected by MS may, at some time, misuse alcohol. This area of long term conditions self management remains largely neglected and further research and support is necessary.Scotland’s new national drug policy (The Road to Recovery- a new Approach to Tackling Scotland’s Drug Problem) was endorsed by parliament on 4^th June 2008 and is available at www.scotland.gov.uk. Recommendations included:· Raising the minimum age for off-sales alcohol purchases to 21· Setting a minimum price at which a unit of alcohol can be sold· Ending 'three for the price of two' type promotions.· A 'social responsibility fee' for some alcohol retailers to help pay for the consequences of alcohol misuse and reduce the burden on the general taxpayer· Introducing alcohol-only checkouts in large off-sales premises. The Kershaw Unit at Gartnavel Royal Hospital is an exciting new development offering a daily range of treatments and opportunities to learn new skills. Outcomes will be the subject of public interest in that the Scottish Government has committed £120 million over the next 3 years for alcohol prevention, treatment and support services.Peter Kershaw, after whom unit is named, specialised in substance abuse and published key papers on alcohol in women (1992) and the prevalence of problem drinking and alcoholism in the West of Scotland (1978).

New website for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

The Glasgow Herald (11^th August 2008) draws attention to the UK’s first comprehensive website given over entirely to Multiple sclerosis. The new internet library is provided by the MS Society and can be reached and searched by all at the touch of a button at www.mssociety.org.uk/library .MS Society librarian Professor David Bates, from Newcastle, states on the MS Society website that “for years the MS society has had a library available to support the information needs of people affected by MS but there has been no way for them to search it themselves and access the documents. This new facility opens up the world class information we have from leading authors to people across the UK and around the world”.