Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to support carers in rural areas looking after people with Motor Neurone Disease.

NHS England supports consistent access to genomic testing for eligible people with motor neurone disease (MND) through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and National Genomic Test Directory. Testing can help identify an underlying genetic cause of MND, informing diagnosis and helping to determine eligibility for targeted treatments and research.

We recognise the particular challenges faced by carers in rural areas, including those caring for a loved one with MND. Local authorities have duties to assess carers’ needs and provide support where eligible, including practical support and respite care.

More broadly, we are working with the NHS, local authorities, the voluntary sector and people with lived experience to develop a new fast-track pathway for people with MND, aimed at providing more timely, coordinated and proactive support across health, social care and housing as an individual’s condition progresses. That will build on the existing work that NHS England is doing to commission specialised MND care through 27 neurology centres across the country, as well as local authorities being asked to fast-track access to care and support, improve joint working and anticipate the future needs of people with MND.