JANE DODDS MS JOINS FND HOPE UK TO CELEBRATE THE INAUGURAL FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER SENEDD AWARENESS DAY

Jane Dodds joined FND Hope UK’s inaugural Senedd Awareness Day last week to discuss the action needed to deliver better care and support for those living with FND in Wales.

FND is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system and how the brain and body send and receive signals. The disruption to the signals is like letters being sent to the wrong address, despite having the correct label.

FND patients live with life-changing symptoms, similar to Parkinson’s Disease and long-term disability comparable to that with MS³⁴⁵⁶. Estimates suggest there are between 50,000 and 100,000 adults and young people living with FND in the UK¹ yet awareness of the condition is extremely low.

FND Hope UK held the inaugural Senedd Awareness Day to raise awareness of the condition and discuss what can be done to better support the FND community in Wales.  Jane Dodds signed up to the charity’s declaration, committing to support steps towards:

1.       Access to FND care at every Health Board in Wales, which reflects the care and services outlined in the National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG) optimal care pathway

2.       The development of FND guidelines by NICE to ensure consistent care is available across the whole of the UK

3.       Increase training in FND for healthcare professionals, to raise awareness of FND signs and symptoms and ultimately improve diagnosis and care

Attending the inaugural Senedd Awareness Day, Jane Dodds MS said

“I am delighted to have learnt more about FND Hope UK’s work towards a dedicated FND care pathway at every UK neuroscience centre and have the opportunity to hear directly from people living with FND about the impact the condition has.”