Almost 60 years on from the Polio epidemic that swept the UK there are still 120,000 Polio survivors living in the UK. Polio has left them with wasted limbs, paralysis and severe mobility issues and now decades later 80% of them are facing much greater issues as Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) looms. Given that Polio affects a similar number of people in the UK to Parkinson’s there is a staggeringly low level of awareness about PPS, even amongst medical professionals. On the second annual PPS Day, Andy Love MP championed The British Polio Fellowship’s call for a national strategy to deal with the issue at a special event at the Palace of Westminster.
Mr Love MP was addressing over 90 friends, members, MPs and supporters of The British Polio Fellowship when he called for a response fitting to the scale of the problem: “Given that such a huge number of people stand to be affected by PPS it is a disgrace that there is so little awareness about it and even worse that there does not seem to be a clear strategy for dealing with it. PPS is a recognised condition that is already affecting Polio survivors here in the UK and yet GPs do not feel confident in diagnosing it – meaning that people affected by it may not receive the treatment and support that they need and are entitled to. This situation cannot continue. I wholeheartedly support The British Polio Fellowship in their campaign to raise awareness, especially amongst medical professionals and call for a national strategy on PPS to be developed.”
“Surviving Polio is just half the battle for many people and we must ensure that they are given the help and support they need to face the new challenges that PPS presents,” added Ted. “The British Polio Fellowship organised PPS Day as a way to get the ball rolling and start a much needed conversation with MPs, the medical profession and the wider public about the threat posed by PPS.”
The event builds on the work done this year to promote the needs of those living with Polio and PPS and on the Early Day Motion introduced by Andy in October 2013. Receiving widespread cross party support, the EDM recognised the charity’s work; calling on the Department for Health to bring forward a strategy to address the needs of those suffering from PPS and to publicise those needs within the medical profession.
Whilst vaccination has put a stop to new cases of Polio, there are still approximately 120,000 people in the now affected by Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) and The British Polio Fellowship is on hand to help those facing a new battle against PPS; launched PPS Day to help raise awareness of their needs of a condition that affects the same number of people as Parkinson’s disease, but at the moment, is much less well known.
The British Polio Fellowship is a charity dedicated to helping, supporting and empowering those in the UK living with the effects of Polio and PPS. For more details or information on The British Polio Fellowship, call us on 0800 018 0586, email at info@britishpolio.org.uk or visit the website at www.britishpolio.org.uk
