MS speaks at launch of ‘Optimal Clinical Care Pathway’ for people affected by Polio
As a Patron of the British Polio Fellowship, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood yesterday sponsored and spoke at the launch event of their Optimal Clinical Care Pathway for people affected by Polio.
At the event, which was held in the Senedd, Mr Isherwood said it is estimated that there are approximately 40,000 to 50,000 polio survivors in the UK, including many living in Wales, but stressed “it is widely acknowledged within the polio community that these notification figures represent a low estimate of people infected by the polio virus and sustaining neurological damage”.
He said:
“Polio survivors face significant unwarranted variation in care across the UK, which is compounded by an overall lack of awareness and understanding amongst both health professionals, including those in primary care, and the public, about polio, late effects of polio and Post-Polio Syndrome or PPS - as well as the misconception that polio has been completely eradicated in the UK.
“Polio survivors report significant difficulties when accessing healthcare settings.”
Mr Isherwood stressed that PPS has become more common in the UK in recent years, because of the high number of polio cases that occurred before routine vaccination was introduced.
He added:
“Polio survivors in the UK are typically age 50+. There is now a growing cohort of polio survivors presenting in clinical practice who are younger, and many of whom contracted polio abroad prior to moving to the UK.
“The last polio outbreaks in the UK occurred in late 70's, whereas the last outbreaks elsewhere occurred much later, India and Nigeria in 2014 and 20 cases in Pakistan and 2 cases in Afghanistan in 2022.”
Mr Isherwood said the Optimal Clinical Care Pathway, sets out what good treatment, care and support looks like for polio survivors in the UK.
“The pathway has been designed to support local systems, health boards, providers and health professionals to commission and deliver quality and efficient services to meet the needs of this population.
“It is expected to be flexible enough to be adapted to local population needs and resource.”