Torfaen Constituency Labour Party
Promoted by Mark Ward-Jones on behalf of the Torfaen Constituency Labour Party at 27 Brunel Road, Fairwater, Cwmbran, Torfaen NP44 4QT.
Local MP backs call to boost physiotherapy access
Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds has backed the calls of a national charity to urgently boost access to physiotherapy, to help constituents missing out on vital care, and suffering through this dangerous lack of access.
At Parliament this week (19 July), Nick Thomas-Symonds joined fellow MPs and Peers to launch Muscular Dystrophy UK’s hard-hitting report, Overstretched. The report highlights a massive black hole in physiotherapy access across the country for the estimated 70,000 people with muscle-wasting conditions.
For people with such conditions, physiotherapy can reduce pain and discomfort, while minimising the development of deformities. In some cases it can keep patients walking for longer. Access to a respiratory physiotherapist also allows for vital cough assist equipment to be used, which can reduce the risk of chest infections and can even avoid lives being tragically cut short.
Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said:
“It was deeply concerning to hear from people with muscle-wasting conditions in Parliament about the difficulties they are facing in accessing physiotherapy. They are desperately in need of better access to ongoing physiotherapy that could make all the difference to their health.”
Nic Bungay, Director of Campaigns, Care and Information at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:
“We are really grateful to have the support of Nick Thomas-Symonds on such a crucial issue. Our national report revealed a bleak picture of people struggling from a lack of access to a physiotherapist across the country.”
