The situation around coronavirus and the risks it poses is changing rapidly.  We advise visiting the following NHS Inform website for real-time updates and advice.

Our priority is to minimise the risk as much as possible for people with MND, their carers, supporters, volunteers and our staff and as such we are therefore taking the below steps.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience and hope you understand why we have made these decisions. We will continue to keep this page up to date as NHS and government guidance is updated.

MND Scotland Office

We have chosen to close MND Scotland’s office to visitors at this time. Please feel free to call or email us to discuss the reason you were going to visit, but please do not come to the office.

If you require any information or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0141 332 3903 or email us at info@mndscotland.org.uk.

MND Scotland Services

As a precautionary measure, we have reached the difficult decision to postpone all face-to-face services, effective immediately, until at least 31^st March.

Alternative ways of delivering these services, where possible, are being developed. All services which do not rely on face-to-face contact will continue as normal.

Please see below how, or if, services are changing:

Counselling

We are postponing any face-to-face counselling but will continue to provide and offer telephone counselling.

Advocacy

We will not be able to do home visits at this time. We will still support you through phone calls, email and skype.

Welfare and Benefits

We will not be able to do home visits at this time. We will still provide this service through phone calls, email and skype.

Support groups

The following support groups have been cancelled:

• Tayside – 17^th March
• Edinburgh – 23^rd March
• Lanarkshire – 25^th March
• Highland – 9^th April
• Borders – 15^th April

Further support groups may be affected and we will continue to update you here. We are also looking into alternative digital solutions.

Complementary therapy

This service has been postponed.

Physiotherapy

This service has been postponed.

Equipment

This service is continuing as normal.

Communication aids

We will still send out equipment, however we are not able to go to your home for installation or repairs but will provide support via phone calls, email and skype.

Holiday accommodation

All bookings from now until 31st March have been cancelled, with the option to rebook at a later date or a full refund will be issued. Those with bookings after this date may be affected and we will keep you updated with any changes. We also have a Time Out grant which you may be able to apply for, if you wish to make other holiday arrangements. Find out more here.

Grants

This service is continuing as normal.

Information and education

This service is continuing as normal.

Fundraising events

All MND Scotland organised events will be reviewed 6 weeks before the event date, in line with government guidance at that time. For events that are organised by external parties we will take their guidance, as well as guidance from the government.

Keep up to date with all event changes here: www.mndscotland.org.uk/events-updates.

MND and Coronavirus

The advice that we have received regarding Covid-19 and MND is the same as that being shared and updated regularly by the NHS and the Government.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin. If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

We would advise you to ask any visitors coming into your home to wash their hands at point of entry and on leaving.  

If you have specific questions regarding your care, please contact your local MND nurse who will be able to give you advice and information which takes into account your individual circumstances.  They will be aware of the plans and procedures for your health board area will be able to advise if you need to take any other additional precautions in keeping with your health board.

We will continue to monitor updates and consider how they may affect people with MND, volunteers and staff.

Additional links and information on coronavirus

• NHS Inform
• Scottish Government
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office