CUMBRIA County Council has agreed to adopt a charter to support those living with motor neurone disease (MND) and their carers.

MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. It kills around a third of people within a year of diagnosis, and more than half within two years. There is no cure.

Unfortunately, MND is still little understood and this contributes to many people with the disease not receiving the care and support they need. The MND Charter was launched to change this.

The motor neurone disease (MND) Charter is a statement of the respect, care and support that people living with MND and their carers deserve and should expect.

The five points of the Charter are:

-The right to an early diagnosis and information

-The right to access quality care and treatments

-The right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect

-The right to maximise their quality of life

-Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well-supported.

Councillor Peter Thornton, Cabinet Member for Health & Care Services, said: “I am delighted our council has agreed to adopt the MND Charter. It is vital that more people are aware of the needs of people with MND so those living with this devastating disease can maximise their quality of life and die with dignity.”

Chris James, Director of External Affairs for the MND Association, added: “The importance of the MND Charter is undeniable. We want everyone to be clear that access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time, as set out in our Charter, can transform lives.”

For further information about the charter, you can visit www.mndassociation.org/mndcharter