MND New Zealand help guide health professionals so they can provide the best support and care for people living with MND. Our Support Team works closely with health professionals throughout New Zealand raising awareness and understanding. The Support Team can help with MND education, information and support. Please contact your local Support Team Member here.
A new diagnostic tool highlighting motor neurone disease ‘red flags’ has been developed for GPs in New Zealand.
The diagnostic tool 'Painless, progressive weakness – Could it be MND?' (PDF) asks GPs to refer relevant patients to a neurologist, thereby reducing inaccurate referrals and speeding up time to an accurate diagnosis.
Adapted with permission from MND Australia and the MND Association of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the tool outlines MND signs and symptoms including bulbar and limb features, respiratory and cognitive features, as well as supporting factors that point towards a diagnosis of MND.
MND New Zealand help guide health professionals so they can provide the best support and care for people living with MND, their carers, families and whanau. Our Support Team Members work closely with health professionals in all DHBs throughout New Zealand. The Support Team Members can
The MND Clinical Working Group was formed following the national MND New Zealand Hui held in 2019, which provided a forum for discussing the challenges of delivering timely, coordinated and equitable health services for people with Motor Neurone Disease.
The group consists of 16 clinicians across multiple disciplines from all around New Zealand, who have an interest in improving care for people with MND and their families. Co-chaired by Dr Chris Drennan and Dr Claire Reilly, the group met regularly throughout 2020 via teleconference to develop New Zealand appropriate guidelines for the assessment and management of MND. It is hoped that the Guidelines will provide national consistency while remaining flexible and adaptable for local DHBs.
In 2021 newly appointed Council member and neurologist Dr Alan Stanley assumed the role of Chairman. The group are now finalising the draft Guideline, which will then be distributed to various professional organisations for review and feedback. The team hope to have finalised guidelines by the middle of the year, and these will be available for all health professionals on our website.
You can read more about the CWG in the documents below:
For more Information contact claire.reilly@mnd.org.nz
A useful online resource for GPs and primary health care teams, with the MND module recently updated (2017). You need to register to view (only an email address and password are required).
MND Care Australia
MND Australia has developed a website specifically for professionals involved in the care of people with MND: MND Care Australia. This is an evidence-based and best practice website for health, disability, aged and community care professionals.
MND Aware
In 2011 MND Australia also developed the MND Aware online training sessions, which provide health and community care professionals with a basic understanding of MND and the impact of MND on an individual’s life.
For Professionals
The MND Association of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland dedicates a section of their website to health and social care professionals who provide care and support for people with MND.
Healthtalk
'Messages for Professionals from People with MND' is a worthwhile read.
Best Practice Guidelines
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines are the authoritative best-practice guidelines for assessing and managing Motor Neurone Disease, produced in the UK.
These aim to improve care from the time of diagnosis, and cover information and support, organisation of care, managing symptoms and preparing for end of life care. These guidelines are reviewed regularly.
