Please allow me to assure you that research, ensuring early diagnosis, and providing support are the Government’s key priorities for helping those living with MND.
In November 2021, the Government committed at least £50 million over a five-year period to MND research. I understand that £35 million of this committed funding has been allocated to specialist research centres so that researchers can access the funding as quickly as possible. The package includes £8 million for early phase clinical research for MND, to speed up innovative new treatments, as well as £1 million for a MND Collaborative Partnership to support the discovery of MND treatments. Remaining funding will be available for researchers to access through the MRC and NIHR.
In February 2023, the then Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, hosted a roundtable for patient groups and leading researchers to discuss their research on MND and explain how this funding can be accessed. As a result, everyone in England can now sign up to take part in MND and wider health research through the NHS App.
The increase in research funding will accelerate progress across the UK to find better treatments for MND, giving people living with the condition the chance of a better quality of life.