Dear [MP Name]

I am writing to you regarding access to physiotherapy for individuals affected by muscle-wasting conditions.

Muscle-wasting conditions cause muscle to weaken and waste over time, leading to increased disability. This can affect muscles in the limbs, as well as the muscles of the heart and lungs, sometimes significantly shortening life-expectancy. With very few exceptions, there are currently no effective treatments or cures available.

You could include information here on your own connection to the conditions, or your own difficulties in accessing physiotherapy support.

I was shocked to read in a newly published Muscular Dystrophy UK report, Overstretched -based on an extensive patient survey - that people with muscle-wasting conditions are missing out on physiotherapy and specialist support vital to the management of their condition.

Muscular Dystrophy UK found that:

  • 60 percent of people with muscle-wasting conditions are unable to access appropriate physiotherapy for their condition
  • 20 percent are paying privately for physiotherapy, highlighting that this is because they feel there is a lack of appropriate provision on the NHS. Some individuals are paying over £6,000 per year for private support.
  • short-term access to physiotherapy – often in six-week blocks – isn’t appropriate for people with chronic conditions like muscular dystrophy, who need long term, flexible support
  • a shortage of respiratory physiotherapists is restricting access to breathing equipment as there is no trained individual to ensure such equipment can be used safely in the community. This is increasing reliance on treatment in hospitals.

As my MP, I would be very grateful if you could write to the Chief Executive of our local Hospital Trust – enclosing a copy of the Overstretched report - to ask them what steps they are taking to improve access to specialist neuromuscular physiotherapy. I would also be grateful if you could ask them what assessment they have made of respiratory physiotherapy support in the community for people with a neuromuscular condition.

For more information or for a template letter to the Hospital Trust, please contact Peter Sutton on or call 020 7803 4838.

Yours sincerely