MND Nurses To Be Doubled

The number of specialist nurses caring for patients with motor neurone disease (MND) is to be doubled, with the Scottish Government also set to fund the posts for the first time.

It is understood First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will announce the move this morning, as part of a £2.5 million plan to improve specialist nursing provision.

The money will come from the £200 million plus that is due to Scotland as a result of spending decisions announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

The announcement is being made after Ms Sturgeon met with campaigner Gordon Aikman, who has raised more than £100,000 for the fight against MND since being diagnosed with the terminal condition.

The former director of research for the pro-UK Better Together campaign has been calling for the number of specialist MND nurses in Scotland be doubled from the current seven, as well as demanding the posts be posts paid for by the public purse rather than funded from charity donations.

Mr Aikman said yesterday: Doubling the number of MND specialist nurses and funding them from the public purse would revolutionise the quality of care we can provide MND patients in this country.''

He added: It is absurd that people have to run marathons and hold bake sales so people like me can die with dignity.

MND kills - and fast. So I hope the First Minister will act sooner rather than later. It's not expensive, she has got the money and we now have a clear consensus for action.''