MPs elected to parliamentary group on MND

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on MND held its AGM last week and elected the Officers for another year.

Madeleine Moon MP (Labour, Bridgend) remains as Chair of the Group, whilst Andrew Lewer MP (Conservative, Northampton South) and Christine Jardine MP (Lib Dem, Edinburgh West) were elected as Vice-Chairs.  Chris Evans MP (Labour, Islwyn) remains as the Secretary to the Group.  The MND Association was appointed to act as the secretariat to the Group for another year.

At the meeting, people affected by MND spoke to MPs about why our Scrap 6 Months campaign is so important to them.

Cath and Ian Muir travelled from North Yorkshire to share their experience of claiming benefits.  Cath’s claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was handled by the consultant and she received her benefits quickly. Her case illustrates the inequity in the current system and how access to the fast -track process relies on the willingness of a clinician to sign a DS1500 form.

Dr Imran Rafi, a GP lecturer from St George’s University London, explained how giving a prognosis in MND is very difficult and the “arbitrary” 6-month rule should be removed.  Dr Rafi also agreed that people with terminal illnesses should be given life-long awards, rather than the 3-year award under the current fast-track process.

Thank you to all our supporters who emailed their MP about the meeting.

Find out more:

• Read more about the APPG
• More information on our Scrap 6 Months campaign