Families living with muscle disease in the East of England are joining forces with clinicians and MPs at an inaugural conference for the region, organised by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.The conference will be an opportunity for families to learn more about fighting for better muscle disease services in their region and to find out how local campaigning can make a real difference.

There will be talks from leading clinicians and local MPs about recent care developments and how best to make your voice heard on healthcare issues.Representatives from the research and support departments at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign will also be talking about their work and how it helps families with muscle disease in the East of England.The East of England NHS Specialised Commissioning Group will be discussing their forthcoming review into the region’s muscle services.

Anyone attending the meeting can take part in the talks and workshops about how to continue putting pressure on the NHS to improve services for muscle disease patients, what the key issues are in research and support services, and what can be done about the lack of funding for regional care advisors.The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Who

Robert Meadowcroft, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (MDC) director of policy and services

Nic Bungay, MDC head of policy and campaigns

Lyn Inman, MDC director of care and support services

Dr Marita Pohlschmidt, MDC director of research

Carolyn Young, associate director of the East of England Specialised Commissioning Group

Elizabeth Gordon-White, volunteer fundraising manager for the South East

Dr Charlotte Brierley, consultant neurologist with muscle expertise at Addenbrooke’s and Ipswich hospitals

Kate Parkin, MDC trustee and mum of a child with muscle disease

The Mayor of Cambridge

Families living with muscle disease in the East of England

When

Friday 12 March 2010, 10am – 3pm

Where

Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH.

Source : Muscular Dystrophy Campaign