Calendar of events

Here is a comprehensive list of the education events and opportunities that will support your continuous professional development - from webinars to conferences.
Click on a drop down to get more information about a particular event and as well as how to book or take part.
Register for our upcoming webinars
Introduction to the new MND Wheelchair Pathway - 26 January 2021
Time: 9:30 - 11:00
Aim: To support professionals to review and evaluate wheelchair provision for those living with MND.
Objectives:
By the end of this webinar you will have:
- an audit tool to evaluate current service provision and delivery for those living with MND
- explored each stage of the pathway including referral, assessment, provision and review process’
- have received supporting information for each part of the pathway.
Speakers:
Jenny Rolfe - Senior Occupational Therapist, Oxford MND Centre
Lynne Hills - Occupational Therapist, MND Care Centre, National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queens Square, London
Alison Johnston - Wheelchair Therapist, Kings College Hospital Clinic London
Comparing and contrasting service responses to COVID - 23 February 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To explore process, procedures and lessons learned in respiratory care during COVID in 3/4 centres.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will:
- be able to describe different services’ COVID approaches to long term ventilation
- recognise the factors which led to the development of each response
- be able to consider the lessons learned and apply them within their own practice or service.
Speakers:
Sara Wordingham-Baker - Advanced Ventilation Practitioner, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Sean Headon - Respiratory physiotherapist, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Rachel Milne - Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist, Royal Bristol Infirmary
Alison Armstrong - Nurse Consultant, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This event has been endorsed by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care.
Emergency Care for people living with MND – considerations and practice - 23 March 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To explore best practice in emergency settings when treating /attending a person with MND.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will have:
- explored where they might find key information (and what it is)
- an understanding of the importance of checking for advance care plans (ACP) and patient wishes
- been introduced to the Paramedic card.
Speakers:
Sue Jones - Unscheduled Care Practitioner, Raigmore Hospital
Liz Harris - Head of Professional Standards, College of Paramedics
Psychological Support for people with MND - 27 April 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Further information coming soon.
Speaker:
Dr Emily Mayberry - Senior Clinical Psychologist, Sheffield Motor Neuron Disease Care Centre
Taking time to talk MND - 18 May 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To support health and social care professionals - with a particular focus on SLTs - who may be new to working with MND to be prepared for their first few sessions with a person with MND and their family.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will have:
- an understanding of what they need to know to feel well informed before an initial visit/s
- considered how best to ensure person centred care
- considered what needs to be covered early, and how to broach difficult topics
- explored some of the questions they may be asked by the person in their care
- considered the role of the MDT and how local setup influences individual roles and responsibilities
- increased confidence in their ability to work with people with MND.
Speaker:
Jennifer Benson – Independent Speech and Language Therapist specialising in MND
An introduction to Kennedy’s Disease - 29 June 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To explore the differences and similarities between MND and Kennedy’s Disease.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will have:
- an understanding of the main symptoms and effects of Kennedy’s disease
- been introduced to the key therapy interventions for Kennedy’s
- considered the implications of caring for a person with Kennedy’s.
Speaker:
Professor Pietro Fratta - Clinician Scientist at the UCL Institute of Neurology and Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Familial MND – what do genetics tell us? - 13 July 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To explore the role of genetics in MND.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will have:
- current information about the incidence of familial MND
- an understanding of the genes involved in MND
- explored genetic testing – considerations and options around it
- been introduced to the MND Register.
Speaker:
Nick Cole – Head of Research, MND Association
The place of hospice care in MND - 20 July 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To explore the role of the hospice in the care of people living with MND and their carers.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will have:
- been introduced to the types of care that may be available to people affected by MND within the hospice sector
- considered effective ways to collaboratively include hospice expertise into their practice and as part of the multidisciplinary team
- understanding of the unique part hospice care can play at end of life and heard illustrative personal stories
- an understanding the referral process into hospice care.
Speaker:
Jenny White – Education and Practice Development Lead. Garden House Hospice
Models of respiratory care to manage MND patients in the community - 28 September 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To explore home based respiratory support for MND patients in the community.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will:
- have an understanding of the operation of a home NIV service
- be able to connect aspects of community management of MND to their own practice.
Speaker:
Rachel Milne - Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist, Bristol Royal Infirmary
This event has been endorsed by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care.
Navigating social care with MND in mind - 19 October 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To provide an introduction to the social are system and how best to interact with it to get the best care for people living with MND and their carers.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will:
- be able to summarise the particular nature and features of MND and the implications of them for the person’s needs and engaging social care effectively
- recognise the importance of prompt assessment and know how to arrange for it to be carried out
- understand how and when best to access services to ensure effective care
- have explored how to best explain the system to people with MND and their carers and how to support them through the processes involved.
Speaker:
Sally Mercer - Association of Palliative Care Social Workers
This event has been endorsed by the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers.
Cough augmentation in MND - more than assisting a cough - 30 November 2021
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Aim: To introduce and explore cough augmentation techniques in MND care.
Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will:
- have been introduced to the range of interventions available to assist chest clearance
- understand the significance of chest clearance to wider patient well-being.
Speaker:
Ema Swingwood – Chair, Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care
This event has been endorsed by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care.
Honest conversations about end of life - Date TBC
Further information and booking details coming soon.
Conference videos
RCN Hawking Lecture 2019
This free annual lecture is a collaboration between the MND Association and the RCN to further understanding and knowledge of MND. The 2019 lecture features Christopher McDermott, Professor of Translational Neurology and Consultant Neurologist presenting latest thinking on nutrition in MND/ALS.
The video can be accessed via RCN TV. Please note you will need to register for a free account.