Wakefield Council inspired by Rob Burrow's legacy to adopt Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charter plans
Wakefield Council has been inspired by Rob Burrow's legacy to look at adopting Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charter plans to support those living with the terminal disease and their carers.
Councillors have been asked to support a motion aimed at ensuring that residents with the condition receive quality care and are treated with dignity and respect.
Duncan Smith, Labour councillor for Ossett, has put forward the proposal to be considered at a full council meeting on November 26.
Coun Smith said it was estimated that 43 people in the district had been diagnosed with MND and referenced Pontefract-born former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow, who died from the disease last year.
Burrow died aged 41, having spent the last five years of his life, together with close friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield, raising awareness about MND after he was diagnosed with the condition.
The £6.8m Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease opened in Leeds earlier this month, after the rugby league legend dreamed the idea with his consultant.
Recent figures estimate nearly 8,000 people in the UK are affected by MND at any one time.
Coun Smith’s motion states: “MND is a disease that progressively damages nerves, causing muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years.
“It usually shortens life, there is currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
“A number of high-profile people have sadly lived with and died from MND, notably Rob Burrow, a professional rugby league player born in Pontefract.”
Wakefield is the only authority out of the five councils in West Yorkshire not to have adopted the charter.
The motion calls for the charter to be promoted among councillors, staff and social care professionals who deliver services for the council.
The charter was developed by the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and centres on a statement of the respect, care and support that people living with MND and their carers deserve and expect.
It has five specific points, including rights to an early diagnosis, quality of care, being treated with dignity and being well supported.
MNDA’s Champion the Charter campaign began in 2012 and grew when a number of councils committed to adopting it in 2014.