Our response to the Regional Review of Neurology Services in Northern Ireland

The MND Association welcomes the Regional Review of Neurology Services in Northern Ireland and urges the Department of Health to remove the postcode lottery for people living with MND.  

The assessment is aimed at improving neurology services through to 2035, with our own report feeding into the appraisal.  

After its publication, the MND Association endorses the response from the Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance Working Group and has highlighted several key actions that need to be undertaken. 

Among is how any changes to current healthcare provision will be financed, how long it will take to recruit staff into newly created posts and the creation of an optimal care pathway specifically for MND in Northern Ireland.   

The establishment of multi-disciplinary teams and local neurology delivery teams in each Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, along with education and awareness across non-neurological hospital specialists, is also vital. 

Further recommendations from the MND Association can be found below, which includes comments from people with MND in the region.  

Read our response here

Patrick Malone, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advisor (NI), said: “The lack of an all-island approach, postcode lottery and the disparity in care and services across the different Health and Social Care Trusts are just a few of the serious issues facing people with MND in Northern Ireland. 

“A web of support is essential to enable people with MND to live their lives as fully as possible, as care needs are complex and can change rapidly. 

“There are approximately 120 people living with MND in Northern Ireland, but it is expected to rise to approximately 200 within the next decade – highlighting the need for these ambitious but necessary plans. 

“We recognise and welcome that some of these issues have been highlighted in the review, but we would urge the Department of Health to take urgent steps to address these issues facing our service users living with MND as a matter of urgency.” 

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