Frenchay Hospital in Bristol opens new care facility

A specialist care centre for the treatment of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has opened at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

MND is an incurable, progressive condition that damages the nervous system, weakening and wasting muscles.

As well as providing treatment to patients, the centre will be used as a research facility into the disease.

It was established via a partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The new centre means the hospital can now care for 140 people with the disease, up from 90 patients before it opened.

Previously patients from the region had to travel as far as London for treatment.

Dr Andrea Merrison, the lead clinician at the centre said: "Whilst we are currently unable to prevent MND, there have been enormous advances in managing symptoms and improving quality of life and research holds much hope for the future.

"Establishing Frenchay as a specialist centre is a wonderful opportunity. We aim to promote a culture of clinical excellence; in accordance with the MND Association standards of care and to do this with sensitivity, compassion and kindness."