Manchester Withington MP flexes political muscle in the fight for better muscle disease services

2.04.32pm GMT Wed 20th Jan 2010

Manchester Withington MP John Leech backed muscular dystrophy campaigners today in their fight for better muscle disease services.

John Leech attended the All Party Parliamentary Group for Muscular Dystrophy's (APPG) meeting with North West NHS decision makers to find out why the region is not providing a better service for families with muscle disease.

Jon Develing, Chief Officer of the North West Specialised Commissioning Group, and Dr Mike Cheshire, Medical Director of the North West Strategic Health Authority, were asked to come to the Houses of Parliament and explain why their region, along with three others in the UK, has not made vital improvements to their health services for muscle disease patients.

The improvements were recommended in the Walton Report, an investigation into healthcare for muscle disease published last summer.

John Leech was there to ask tough questions of the North West Specialised Commissioning Group, and to support the cause of families with muscle disease in the North West.

Key issues still affecting North West muscle disease patients:

• There are no care advisors for adults with muscle disease.

• Transition services for patients moving from paediatric services to adult services are badly funded and understaffed.

John Leech MP said:

"It's vital that vulnerable local families are able to access the care they need.

"It's high time that NHS bosses improved muscular dystrophy services."

John Leech challenged Jon Develing and Dr Mike Cheshire on the lack of support for North West muscle disease patients and backed calls for quick action on improvements to their healthcare.

Robert Meadowcroft, Director of Policy at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, commented:

"We are pleased that John Leech MP has thrown his weight behind the campaign to improve essential services for people living with muscle disease.

"He is strong voice in Parliament for local patients and their families."

To find out more about the Walton Report go to www.muscular-dystrophy.org.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for 50 years, and is dedicated to improving the lives of all people affected by muscle disease.

It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment.

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For more information about the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign please contact Katie Archer, press officer, on 020 7803 4832, mobile: 07827 953 149 or email: k.archer@muscular-dystrophy.org

Notes to Editors:

• More than 70,000 babies, children and adults in the UK have muscular dystrophy or a related condition. A further 350,000 people are affected indirectly as family, friends or carers.

• Muscle diseases cause muscles to waste and weaken making it hard for those affected to do even the simplest of tasks. The conditions don't just affect the muscles in the arms and legs but the heart and respiratory muscles too. There are no cures and many affected children don't live to reach adulthood.

• The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is marking its 50th anniversary in 2009.

• The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is Tesco Charity of the Year 2009 which aims to raise £3 million as part of the Giving children equipment to be independent campaign. The money raised will fund vital, specialist equipment for children aged 19 years and under with muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases. Over 8,000 babies and children in the UK have a muscle-wasting condition.