WEST MIDLANDS MUSCLE GROUP LAUNCH

That this House welcomes the launch of the West Midlands Muscle Group; notes that the new group is led by local families and people affected by muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions who will campaign to improve access to essential specialist care and support; is concerned that a new report published by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign illustrates serious problems affecting the 5,500 people with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions in the West Midlands; further notes that access to multi-disciplinary specialist care improves overall health outcomes and survival for patients with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions; is deeply concerned that some patients are being denied access to multi-disciplinary specialist care; congratulates the West Midlands Specialised Commissioning Group, local primary care trusts and Strategic Health Authority on their plans to take forward a review of neuromuscular services which will identify areas of best practice and gaps in NHS service provision; and praises the campaign led by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, local families, health professionals and experts in these conditions who will work together to fight for good access to clinically effective, first class, specialised neuromuscular services across the West Midlands.