MND nurses in Scotland 'set to double'

The number of specialist NHS Motor Neurone Disease (MND) nurses in Scotland is set to double thanks to extra funding from the Scottish government.

Some £2.5 million will be invested in specialist nursing and care, with the first £700,000 going towards support for those with MND, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Ms Sturgeon paid tribute to MND patient Gordon Aikman, who has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the condition. Mr Aikman met the first minister during the Scottish referendum campaign, when he worked for Better Together.

Commenting on the funding announcement, Mr Aikman said: "I am delighted. This will transform the lives of Scottish MND patients, including me."

He called on the UK political parties to double funding for MND research to help develop a cure for the disease.