Dentists and GPs offered training to spot early MND signs in UK first

Healthcare professionals, including dentists and GPs, are being offered targeted training to spot potential early signs of motor neurone disease (MND) under a brand new initiative.

Created by the charity foundation established by Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir, who died following his diagnosis with MND, the project is the first of its kind in the UK.

Titled RACE to Diagnose, it provides tailored guidance to clinical staff who might encounter patients displaying initial indicators of the condition.

Because MND is frequently difficult to identify in its early stages, it is hoped that enabling patients to access treatments sooner will lead to improved outcomes.

The programme also advises clinicians on how to outline urgent referrals without prompting unnecessary alarm, as well as what clinical information to provide so specialist teams can assess and prioritise each case.

Early symptoms of the life-shortening disease can include progressive or unexplained muscle wasting and weakness, or changes that impact speech, the tongue or swallowing.

Jessica Lee, director of research at the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “MND is not common, its early signs can vary considerably and there is no single test that tells you conclusively that someone has it. That means people can move between different parts of the healthcare system before they reach the right specialist.

“RACE to diagnose gives professionals practical guidance on what to look for, how to assess what they are seeing and when to make an urgent referral.”

“As treatments begin to emerge, reaching people earlier in the course of the disease may be critical to giving those treatments the best possible chance of having an effect.

“It can give people with MND and their families more time to understand what is happening, access the right support, adapt their homes and decide how they want to approach the future.”

Former NHS consultant anaesthetist Andy Vaughton experienced symptoms for several years before being diagnosed with MND in 2021.

He said delays to diagnoses can deprive people of access to care and postpone important decisions about their lives.

Mr Vaughton, from Poole in Dorset, said: “For most people, MND doesn’t progress as slowly as it has for me.

“You need time to process what is happening, access the care you are going to require and bring together all the hospital specialists who will be involved.