Two new recipients of a scholarship fund set up in memory of MND campaigner Gordon Aikman (above), have been announced.
The Gordon Aikman Scholarship was set up in 2017 to support healthcare professionals to develop new ideas which could improve MND care for patients.
In June 2017, MND Scotland announced that it would be match-funding the Scottish Government’s annual £25,000 investment in the scholarship, bringing its total value up to £50,000 per year.
Two healthcare professionals have now been awarded the new funding for 2018/2019; Andrew Bethell, MND Clinical Specialist for Highland and Dr Jenny Preston MBE, a Consultant Occupational Therapist in Ayrshire.
Andrew’s project aims to improve the wellbeing of people who care (unpaid) for someone with MND by creating and implementing a mental health support plan. This plan will provide a tool to enable the person caring for someone with MND to recognise and prevent developing mental health issues in themselves.
Andrew Bethell said: “Approximately 10% of people with MND suffer from a mental health issue during the course of their disease, however over 30% of carers experience significant mental health issues when caring for someone with MND.
“My hope is that this project will reduce worry, stress and distress for carers which will then allow them to provide a better level of care for the person with MND, and improve the lives of those living with the disease.”
Jenny will be seeking to review the role of multidisciplinary health and social care teams in caring for someone with MND in clinics, and to develop consensus on best clinical practice in the configuration and format of these teams in the UK.
Jenny Preston (above) said: “There is evidence that a multidisciplinary approach in clinic can lead to improved survival rates, higher standards of care and cost effective interventions. However, evidence is lacking in the optimal configuration and format of these teams in clinic.
“Consequently, clinics vary in how they are formed and delivered. Optimising the professional configuration and format of the team is likely to maximise the benefit of these clinics for people with MND.”
Craig Stockton, MND Scotland’s CEO, said “Gordon’s wish was to improve the quality of life of people affected by MND.
“This scholarship is enabling health and social care professionals to investigate, develop and implement practical solutions that will improve the day-to-day lives of those living with this condition. With this scholarship, we want to inspire people to keep pushing boundaries and make a difference to the lives of people affected by MND.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said “I’m delighted that Andrew Bethell and Dr Jenny Preston are the recipients of the scholarships in Gordon Aikman’s name. Gordon very much valued the relationships that he formed with all those involved in his care.
“He was determined to seek out treatments and approaches which would improve the quality of his own and other people’s lives, and the scholarships aim to build on that. I look forward to hearing what Andrew and Jenny achieve.”
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