HEREFORD'S MP JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST MUSCLE DISEASE

11.51.50pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrat MP, Paul Keetch, has joined the fight against muscle disease and signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion calling on the new Government to pay more attention to young adults with disabilities, who often face difficulties when transferring from children's to adult's services - the 'transition' phase.

With cross party support, tabled by the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Muscular Dystrophy, the Motion urges the new Government to consider establishing a network of health and social care professionals with an expertise in transition to ensure that all young adults with neuromuscular conditions receive appropriate care, support and information tailored to this crucial stage in their lives.

Paul Keetch MP said, "The nature and quality of health service provision too often fails teenagers with disabilities. The standard of services for young adults with conditions such as muscular dystrophy is not as well developed as those in paediatric clinics.

"It is essential that the Department of Health and local authorities work to bridge this divide and improve joint working between children's and adult's services."

Philip Butcher, Chief Executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: "I'm delighted that Paul Keetch MP has joined us in the fight against muscle disease. I hope that we can now work together in ensuring that the needs of young adults living with muscle disease are at the top of the health and social care agenda."

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