Every year around 300 new cases of TM are diagnosed in the UK. This is such a small number across the country as a whole that it can be no surprise if the hard-pressed National Health Service does not see a need to instigate any research into it. However there are also many other uncommon neurological conditions which suffer in the same way.

This year the Neurological Alliance (a gathering of around 50 UK member organisations supporting patients with neurological conditions) carried out a survey to assess the state of neurological services in the UK. Thanks to Christine Clansey, there was a TM input to the survey. The report on the survey found an urgent need to bring all neurological specialist services to the level of the best; make access to specialist services easier; and ensure the provision of appropriate and on-going rehabilitation. I think we would all agree with these. A shortage of neurologists is highlighted in some of the Report references. In the UK there are only 6 per million of the population whereas in Denmark the figure is 100/million! If you would like to read the report, In Search of Service, copies are available (price £3) from the Neurological Alliance, PO Box 31287, London NW2 6NL. It should also be available on their web site (www.neurologicalalliance.org.uk), but I was unable to open it. One way TMA members could help is to draw the attention of their MPs to this report.

Another way members can help is by sharing their experiences at local area meetings for those with TM and their carers. Thanks to Jan Fox, there has been a support group in the Telford area, meeting four times a year, for five years now. Based on Jan's experience, Gaynor Eyles has started a group in Northampton and in October there will be a first meeting in Salford, which will, hopefully, cover the Manchester and Liverpool areas. These meetings really are for those with all levels of recovery. Those who have made rather better progress can provide enormous encouragement to those who are still struggling.

When I was recovering from TM in 1993 there was no accessible internet nor a TMA web site. I spent hours in the rehabilitation unit's library searching for information and sources of help. Now much of this is available on the internet. I have endeavoured to put some of this UK based information on the TMA site (http://www.myelitis.org/local/). I have tried to supply some sources of basic background information on TM and B&B problems in the Introduction section. Once recovery starts, financial and mobility thoughts become important. There is good help in the UK on both of these aspects and these sections of the web site give sources of information which seem relevant. If TM leaves you disabled, you may need help in the form of therapy treatment and a range of gadgets which make life easier. Other web pages cover these and an Events page suggests where you can go to get some of this help. Please let me know of any helpful web sites you have found so they can be passed on, and do come to area meetings to provide solutions to others' problems. If you have no access to the internet, I can send you a print out of these pages if you send me a sae big enough for ten A4 pages.

In some areas of the country, new regional neurological centres are being opened. We are hoping to be able to make contact with specialists at some of these centres. If you felt you received good treatment and information while you were in the hospital, do let us know where. At a recent local area meeting, complimentary remarks were made about both Addenbrookes in Cambridge and the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, but I have heard scathing comments about some other well known centres where the specialists were unable to present their diagnoses in terms the patient could understand and were dismissive of the patient's comments. Keep the comments flowing in!

Finally, many thanks to those of you who have been involved in sponsored walks and/or made donations to the TMA. It will be good when we can cover the cost of the Newsletter in the UK.

Contact details:
Geoff Treglown, 8 Sedgwick Court, Kendal LA9 5HZ, UK
geoff.treglown[AT SIGN]btinternet.com