Anderson attends special reception held by Muscular Dystrophy UK

Upper Bann DUP MLA Sydney Anderson recently attended a special reception at Parliament Buildings, Stormont held by Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Sydney Anderson MLA, Claire Boylan and William Humphrey MLASydney Anderson MLA, Claire Boylan and William Humphrey MLA
Sydney Anderson MLA, Claire Boylan and William Humphrey MLA

The event focused on the need for better muscle care in Northern Ireland and highlighted the problems faced by the estimated 2,000 people in Northern Ireland affected by muscle-wasting conditions.

The policy makers were asked to make six ‘muscle pledges’ – a series of policy changes that are needed to allow people with muscular dystrophy to live as independently as possible, to improve their quality of life and enable faster access to potential treatments.

The six pledges were the creation of a Northern Ireland Neuromuscular Forum, faster access to treatments, better support at diagnosis, improved access to physiotherapy and OT support, more co-ordination of clinic appointments and fewer delays and improvements in wheelchair services.

Sydney Anderson MLA will be seeking to highlight these pledges in the Assembly. Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland officials will also be working closely with Muscular Dystrophy UK to implement these pledges.

Sydney Anderson MLA stated: “Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for 70,000 children and adults living with muscle-wasting conditions. They provide important information, advice and support to help people live as independently as possible as well as accelerating progress in research and access to emerging treatments.

“It was great to meet campaigners at the recent Muscular Dystrophy UK reception. There is a clear case for improving the care and support of all those affected by muscular dystrophy in Northern Ireland. I commend Muscular Dystrophy UK for the work that they do and wish them well for the future.”

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for the 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK. They bring together people affected by more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions.

Since 1959, the charity has been supporting families living with muscle-wasting conditions.

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