A campaigner whose husband died of motor neurone disease (MND) is looking forward to positive action being taken following a Norfolk County Council decision to ratify an MND Charter.
Sue Heal, from Wymondham, said she was delighted the council's adult social care committee agreed to back the charter, which sets out ways local councils can support people in their communities with the neurological disease.
Mrs Heal, whose husband, Jim died of MND in 2012, enlisted the support of councillor Joe Mooney last year, and he put the charter's adoption to the council. This led to a meeting between MND Association representatives, James Bullion, the council's executive director of adult social care, and Sera Hall, acting director of integrated commissioning.
Mrs Heal said: 'It was a very positive meeting and covered some of the issues raised by the MND Charter.
'We discussed ways in which the MND Association can work in partnership with Norfolk County Council to improve the lives of people affected by MND in Norfolk. We felt that both James and Sera were keen to promote a good understanding of the needs of people with MND through continuing professional development of their staff.
'They were keen to explore in-service training about MND and issues facing people affected by the disease. They also mentioned the possibility of a member of staff taking a lead on MND, something which we wholeheartedly support.'
READ MORE: Campaign to have Norfolk County Council adopt motor neurone disease charter is launched
MND is a progressive disease involving degeneration of the motor neurones and wasting of the muscles. Mrs Heal said she wanted to thank the Wymondham Lions Club, which made a donation of £200 to the MND Association, and the organisers of the Morley Beer Festival in June, where the association will have an information stall.
Mr Mooney said: 'I am absolutely delighted that all members of Norfolk County Council recently backed the excellent Motor Neurone Disease Charter. It will help raise awareness of the needs of local people living with this devastating disease and that for me is a very good outcome of the meeting.'
To learn more about it and the charter visit www.mndassociation.org
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