Prospect Hospice, Wroughton: A pioneering research project aimed at improving care for people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND)is underway, with a focus on developing essential clinical guidance for managing choking—one of the most distressing and life-threatening symptoms of the disease.
The project, “Management of Choking in People Living with Motor Neurone Disease: A Co-Designed, Evidence-Based Clinical Algorithm,” is being led by Prospect Hospice, Great Western Hospital, and the University of Oxford, with funding from the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
This research aims to create the first-ever co-designed clinical guidance for managing choking in MND, working alongside healthcare professionals, carers, and people living with the condition to ensure a practical and compassionate approach.
Dr Mazzucco and Dorinda Moffatt
Dorinda Moffatt, MND Specialist Practitioner at Prospect Hospice, highlighted the value of collaboration:
“This is an important step in improving support for people with MND, giving them and their carers clearer guidance on how to manage choking episodes safely and with dignity.”
Dr Sara Mazzucco, Neurology Consultant, at Great Western Hospital, Swindon said:
“We are thrilled to have been awarded funding from the Motor Neurone Disease Association to be able to take forwards this life-changing research.
“Bringing everyone together in a shared space means we can have open conversations, grounded in compassion, and give those who live with the condition the chance to be directly involved in developing treatments that will positively affect others on the MND journey.”
The research team is engaging with people living with MND, their families, and healthcare professionals to gather insights and shape the development of this much-needed guidance.
The project will be officially launched at an event on Friday 14 March, 2025, at Prospect Hospice, Wroughton, bringing together leading experts, healthcare professionals, and those affected by MND to discuss the latest findings and next steps.
For more information about the project or to get involved, please contact Sam at bswicb.mndserviceprospect@nhs.net.
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About Prospect Hospice:
Prospect Hospice is a charity providing end of life care to people 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The hospice provides all its services free of charge to patients and this is made possible thanks to generous donations from the community it serves which raises 75% of the £8.5million it costs each year to operate.
Patient support is delivered in a variety of ways, tailored to the needs of the individual. Specialist teams provide clinical, emotional and practical support to patients and their families delivered at the hospice in Wroughton, Swindon, and in people’s homes.
Prospect Hospice was founded in 1980 and serves a community of more than 300,000 people in Swindon and north east Wiltshire, including Royal Wootton Bassett, Marlborough and Pewsey, plus Lechlade and Fairford in Gloucestershire.
This work will be really useful. I’d be interested in the outcome.
Otago Community Hospice NZ