CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has joined the growing list of local authorities that are pledging to better support people with motor neurone disease (MND).

At a health and wellbeing board on Wednesday, members from the council and local NHS bodies agreed to adopt the MND Association’s charter.

The charter sets out best practice for supporting those living with the condition and their carers – pushing the need for early diagnosis and information, high quality care and to be treated with dignity.

Richard Webb, campaigns contact for MND Association’s Cheshire branch, has supported the charity for more than a decade – while his wife Kath also has the condition.

He told the board about a lengthy delay for a family in Cuddington that had applied to CWAC for adaptations to be made to their home.

“The funding was approved and they were told the council’s builders would do the work,” he said.

“But the council told them they would have to wait two years because their builders were so busy.

“I’m hoping there will be better support for people living with MND and their carers – an understanding that if people have to wait for two years it might be too late.”

Mr Webb said that life expectancy for people with MND is usually two to three years from diagnosis, and there are 45 people currently living with the condition in the borough.

He told the story of his wife’s misdiagnosis from 14 years ago, before she was eventually diagnosed with MND following a heart attack three years ago.

Dr Jonathan Griffiths, chairman of NHS Vale Royal clinical commissioning group, said: “It is difficult to diagnose, the signs are not always obvious and it is uncommon for GPs to see it.

“I have had patients who I have diagnosed with MND but it is tricky if you only see one or two in your entire career.

“We should be ensuring that all these measures are in place for people with MND and other conditions, so we are not missing anybody with any difficulties.”

Cllr Paul Dolan, CWAC cabinet member for social care, told the board that the hopes the charter will increase understanding about the specific needs people with MND have.

“It is giving particular issues that prominence and I think having a charter helps us to address some of those issues,” he added.

“But of course, we need to see how it works in practice.”