The situation around Coronavirus and the risks it poses is continually changing, so we always advise visiting the following NHS Inform website for real-time updates and advice. 

If you have MND you are at high risk of COVID-19 severely affecting you, therefore people with MND are on the 'highest risk list', previously shown as the 'shielding' list. The ‘shielding list’ and the ‘highest risk list’ are the same. The words ‘highest risk’ rather than ‘shielding’ is now being used because it's highly unlikely you'll be asked to shield again.

If you have MND, please: 

• do not stop taking any medication unless advised to do so
• do not stop using your NIV (non-invasive ventilation) if you are using this

People on the ‘highest risk list’ should strictly follow protective measures and hygiene measures. Read more on NHS Inform website.

If you are developing symptoms of Coronavirus

If you develop symptoms suggestive of Coronavirus (fever, persistent cough and/or shortness of breath) then please follow the advice on the NHS Inform website.

Non-invasive ventilation

If you are using NIV (non-invasive ventilation): 

• Do not stop using this equipment, if your symptoms worsen contact the home ventilation team or your respiratory nurse
• Make sure your immediate area around you is cleaned at least twice a day with hot soapy water including washing down of door handles
• Stop and ask any carers coming into your home to remove outer clothing and to wash their hands with soap and hot water and to also do this on leaving your home

If you have specific questions regarding your care, please contact your local MND Nurse  Specialist who will be able to give you advice and information which takes into account your individual circumstances.  They will be aware of the plans and procedures for your health board area and will be able to advise if you need to take any other additional precautions in keeping with your health board.

To help protect yourself and others:

• get the vaccine or the vaccine booster
• if you don’t have symptoms take regular lateral flow tests – especially before mixing with other people
• think carefully about unnecessary contacts with other people, especially in crowded places – it would be sensible to postpone work Christmas parties
• wear a face covering where required (see below if you cannot wear a face mask)
• if you have symptoms - self isolate and book a PCR test
• wash your hands regularly, and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing
• open windows when meeting indoors
• if you can, keep your distance from people not in your group
• work from home if possible
• use the apps: COVID status (vaccine passport), Protect Scotland and Check-in Scotland

For more information please visit the Scottish Government website. 

Hygiene

You and members of your household should also continue to follow the guidance on hygiene.

DO:

• wash your hands more often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitiser
• wear a face covering if you use public transport, use school transport (children aged 5 and over), visit a care home or hospital, or go to a shop, library, museum, bank or church
• work from home if you can – your employer should support you to do this
• use phone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services
• keep rooms well ventilated when meeting other households indoors, if possible consider opening windows or a door

DON'T:

• do not meet anyone with coronavirus symptoms (new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia))
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

Read more about protective measures here. 

Face coverings

Although vaccination is our best protection against COVID-19, no vaccine is 100 percent effective and we know that even those vaccinated can get the virus. Clinical and public health advice is clear that face coverings continue to be an effective way of stopping transmission.

You can buy a branded face covering from MND Scotland, a great way to protect yourself and others, while also raising awareness. Some people with MND may not be able to tolerate a face mask because of secretion or breathing difficulties. For more information on exemption cards visit exempt.scot.

If you have MND you are at high risk of COVID-19 severely affecting you, therefore people with MND are on the 'highest risk list', previously shown as the 'shielding' list.The ‘shielding list’ and the ‘highest risk list’ are the same. The words ‘highest risk’ rather than ‘shielding’ is now being used because it's highly unlikely you'll be asked to shield again.

People on the ‘highest risk list’ should strictly follow protective measures and hygiene measures. Read more on NHS Inform website.

The Scottish Government is strongly encouraging everyone to take up the offer of a vaccine and booster in order to protect others at high risk as well as themselves. 

If you have MND or care for someone with MND, you may have questions about taking the vaccine: 

Can people with MND take the vaccine?

All COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with MND, even if you are taking Riluzole. The Association of British Neurologists recommends you take up whichever vaccination you are offered without delay regardless of your age, state of health or medication that you’re receiving, unless you have a specific reason such as severe allergy. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, please speak to your MND Clinical Nurse Specialist for more information. 

Can I get the vaccine if I am on a drug trial?

If you are participating in MND-SMART, or are waiting to come onto the trial, you can receive the vaccine.

Will I be immune to COVID-19 when I've had the vaccine?

The vaccine will help minimise the serious effects that COVID-19 can have on you, but please remember that if you have been vaccinated or anyone else in your family has been, this does not mean you are immune to the virus or spreading the virus. Therefore it is vitally important that you continue to follow guidance on how to stay safe. Please also make sure if you have carers coming into your home that they follow the rules.

For more information on the vaccine please visit NHS inform, or speak to your MND Clinical Nurse Specialist. 

It is important that you, as someone who is providing care for a person with MND, have a contingency plan so that the care that you deliver can continue should you fall ill or be required to self-isolate. Here are some steps that you should take now. 

Think about who could step in should you need help. Ask family members, friends or neighbours if they could provide back-up support should you become ill or need to self-isolate. 

Write down detailed instructions around the care that you provide:

• Provide contact information for your doctors, clinic, pharmacy etc.
• List the names and doses of medications. Have enough medication for one or two weeks in case you cannot get to the pharmacy to refill prescriptions.
• Ensure all your medications have refills available, so you do not have to leave the house if you become ill.
• Keep your grocery essentials up to date to ensure you and the person that you may be caring for have the necessary supplies to prepare healthy and nutrient rich meals.
• Keep your environment clean using disinfectants and ask all those who enter your house to wash their hands to use hand sanitizer when they enter.
• Use technology, mobile phones, laptops, ipads etc to keep in contact. Use it to stay connected to friends, family and your community. 

If you have paid carers, health and social care workers, or other family/friend carers (unpaid) coming into the home of the person you care for: 

• Ensure that they are following stringent hygiene and infection control measures and insist that these are followed.
• If your paid carers are employed by an agency, then speak to the agency about their contingency plans and how they plan to respond if any of their staff become affected. 

If you are worried about what would happen to the person with MND should you or paid carers become ill, then contact your local MND Nurse Specialist, who will be able to give you advice and information which takes into account your individual circumstances. They will be aware of the plans and procedures for your health board area and will be able to advise if you need to take any other additional precautions in keeping with your health board.

You may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed because of the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and it is important to take care of your mental health and wellbeing. You may find some of these guided meditation, stress relief and mindfulness videos helpful.

The NHS has produced a helpful resource on coping with staying at home. Please take a few minutes to read the advice it offers. 

In accordance with Scottish Government advice, MND Scotland staff are working from home, but we are still here if you need support, or if you simply want to talk. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at MND Scotland by emailing info@mndscotland.org.uk or you can call 0141 332 3903.

The Coronavirus pandemic has placed restrictions on many of our services. We understand how worrying the current situation is and the challenges it presents for people living with MND and Carers alike.

While things are now moving in a more positive direction with the role out of the vaccines, the advice that we have received from clinical specialists in the area of MND and from the Scottish Government guidance, is that we have not yet reached the stage where we can reinstate our face to face services. Therefore we will continue offering remote services only at this time. We appreciate this will be disappointing news for many, especially those who were hoping to see the return of the complementary therapy service.

As always, we will continue to regularly review the guidelines and clinical advice, and will reinstate our services at the earliest opportunity.  

Service changes: 

• Counselling - we have postponed any face-to-face counselling but continue to provide and offer telephone counselling.
• Welfare and Benefits - we are not able to do home visits at this time however we are still providing this service through phone calls, email and skype.
• Support groups - our weekly video support group means you can join from the comfort of your own home and stay connected to us and others affected by MND. 
• Equipment loan - this service is running as normal.
• Communication aids - we can still send out equipment where possible, however we are not able to go to your home for installation or repairs but will provide support via phone calls, email and skype.
• Complementary therapy - this service has been postponed. However, we realise that relaxation and stress relief remain critical to maintain good physical and mental health. Therefore, we have launched a new Wellbeing Grant so you can still access these therapies and other self-care services.
• Physiotherapy - we are now offering remote physiotherapy sessions.
• Holiday accommodation - currently open for bookings. Book here.

Although we are not currently offering face to face services, our new MND Scotland Connected services are here to make sure you and your family are not alone at this difficult time, and to ease some of the financial burden and stress you may be experiencing as a result of COVID-19 disruptions.

Your connected services are here to ensure you stay connected, find support and feel in control. Services include: 

• One-to-one phone support 
• Video Support Groups
• Emergency financial grants 
• Advocacy (fighting your corner)
• Making your wishes known

To find out more visit MND Scotland Connected.

Our staff are working from home during this time, but you can still get in touch with us by calling 0141 332 3903 or emailing info@mndscotland.org.uk. 

All MND Scotland organised events will be reviewed 6 weeks before the event date, in line with government guidance at that time. For events that are organised by external parties we will take their guidance, as well as guidance from the government.

To find out how you can get involved in our virtual events visit our fundraising page.

The MND-SMART clinicial drug trial is looking for people with MND across Scotland to take part. For more information about your area, please visit MND-SMART.org. 

The Coronavirus situation is developing rapidly and we strongly recommend you check the following sources of information regularly. These sources are frequently updated.

• NHS Inform
• Scottish Government (Coronavirus in Scotland)
• Scottish Government (Support for those at high risk)
• Scottish Government (Advice for unpaid carers)