Motor neurone disease (MND) Charter adopted by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Mon, April 08, 2019
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has adopted the motor neurone disease (MND) Charter in support of local people living with this terminal disease and their carers.
MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. It kills around a third of people within a year of diagnosis, and more than half within two years. There is no cure.
The Charter is a statement of the respect, care and support that people living with MND and their carers deserve and should expect.
The five points of the Charter are:
The right to an early diagnosis and information
The right to access quality care and treatments
The right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect
The right to maximise their quality of life
Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well-supported.
Unfortunately, MND is still little understood and this contributes to many people with the disease not receiving the care and support they need. The MND Charter was launched to change this.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Brenda Chivers said: “I am delighted Council has agreed to adopt the MND Charter. It is vital that more people are aware of the needs of people with MND so those living with this devastating disease can maximise their quality of life and die with dignity”.
While Councils in Northern Ireland aren’t responsible for health and social care, they can still play a significant part in making the MND Charter a reality. By adopting the Charter the Council can help increase awareness and let our community know that MND matters.
Chris James, Director of External Affairs for the MND Association said: “The importance of the MND Charter is undeniable. We want everyone to be clear that access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time, as set out in our Charter, can transform lives.”
For further information please visit www.mndassociation.org/mndcharter
