HRH The Princess Royal launches Norfolk MND network at NNUH
HRH The Princess Royal, as Royal Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, visited the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) today (31st January) to launch the Norfolk MND Care and Research Network. Her Royal Highness met patients, carers, professionals and volunteers from across Norfolk who work to support people with Motor Neurone Disease.
Mrs Sally Light, Chief Executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said: “We are delighted that our Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, has joined us today to celebrate the launch of the Norfolk MND Network, which provides care for people in Norfolk, wherever they live, and makes the vital connection between both care and research into MND.”
Mark Davies, Chief Executive of NNUH said: “We were honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to our hospital, especially as it is almost 14 years to the day since the Hospital was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen. We would like to thank Her Royal Highness for her words of encouragement and support for this MND Network. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the MND Association, and the other partners in the Network, in helping improve care for people affected by MND across Norfolk.”
Dr David Dick, who is a consultant neurologist at NNUH and has a particular interest in the diagnosis and management of Motor Neurone Disease, has for many years run an ad hoc clinic for patients with this condition. He said: “I have always looked for opportunities to develop the service so the award of Care Centre Status by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the appointment of a Care Coordinator will allow a long hoped for expansion in the clinical service which will allow us to bring expertise to patients in peripheral hospitals, improve support for patients and their families and establish close research links with UEA.”
The Norfolk MND Care and Research Network is based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and is jointly funded by both NNUH and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The Network serves the populations of Norwich, Norfolk and Waveney Valley, and operates from three hospitals: the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in Norwich, the James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, as well as satellite clinics in Beccles and Cromer. Staff overcome the geographic dispersal of people living with MND in Norfolk by rotating between these centres, taking their expertise direct to people living with MND as much as possible.
By attending the event The Princess Royal was recognising the combination of important services which are provided by the Network including care, respiratory management and scientific research.
Dr Mioshi, Professor of Dementia Care at the UEA, said: “It was a privilege to meet The Princess Royal today and to celebrate our involvement in the Network. We look forward to continuing our research and working with the Network to look further at the practical impact of clinical symptoms in everyday life, family carers, and healthcare management, and ultimately improving the lives of people with Motor Neurone Disease.”