11 October 2023 News
Local people living with motor neurone disease (MND) in Swindon and the surrounding areas will receive enhanced care thanks to a partnership by three organisations.
The MND Association has teamed up with Prospect Hospice and the NHS to provide a new MND co-ordinator in the area to better support people and their families living with the illness. This new role will ensure those living with MND have access to a specialist clinical professional working with the wider community team to ensure care is well-coordinated and they are well-supported to the end of their life.
Dorinda Moffatt, the hospice’s dedicated MND and neurorespiratory specialist practitioner, will lead this new team and brings with her a wealth of respiratory practitioner experience to the role, having worked in this area of work for over 13 years.
“I am delighted to be taking on this role supporting people and their families living with MND. I am looking forward to the challenge of developing the service and working in partnership with my colleagues across the Swindon area. My father died from MND so I understand on both a personal and professional level the importance of helping people live well with MND and I look forward to working with patients and their families so they can make every day count.”
Dorinda Moffat, MND Specialist Practitioner
One of those who has already benefitted from the expert care in this area is Clare Rose whose husband Dale died recently after living with MND for five years.
“When Dale was first diagnosed, we had no one who understood or had good knowledge about MND. A lot of other health care professionals did not really understand the disease. It is so reassuring to have someone to go to. Dorinda at the hospice is our first point of contact to go to for any problems. She brings everything together, answers any questions and we have confidence in her and her ongoing support.”
Clare Rose, who's husband received specialist care.
“MND is extremely complex and requires several healthcare professionals to support a person as the disease progresses. This new role relieves the burden of organising a huge number of appointments and will be incredibly valuable for people affected by MND in and around Swindon. We’re incredibly grateful to be working with Prospect Hospice and the NHS and we are delighted to welcome Dorinda into the role.”
Chris Bennett, Head of Regional Care partnerships at the MND Association.
The MND Association, Prospect Hospice and the NHS will continue to work closely to support this essential work.