Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of potential effective treatments for MND; and what assessment he has made of the impact of funding levels on research into effective treatments for MND.

There have been no specific assessments. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of motor neurone disease (MND). This aims to improve care from the time of diagnosis and covers information and support, organisation of care, managing symptoms and preparing for end of life care. In addition, NICE has published technology appraisals guidance on riluzole, which is recommended for the treatment of individuals with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis form of MND.

We have committed £50 million for MND research over the next five years. New, innovative projects will help researchers to better understand the disease and its related conditions, develop and test treatments and improve care for those living with MND. We will also establish the National Institute for Health Research’s MND Research Unit to coordinate innovative research applications with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.