British Polio Fellowship

08/09/2026

British Polio Fellowship backs call for neurology reform in Northern Ireland

The British Polio Fellowship (BPF) is throwing its full support behind a new report calling for urgent reform of neurology services in Northern Ireland, warning that polio survivors living with the late effects of polio and post-polio syndrome are among those being failed by a system stretched far b...

08/09/2026

Polio survivor and Rotarian Ken Nixon, and Carol from British Polio Fellowship speak to the new Northern Ireland Health Minister Robbie Butler about issues raised in the new Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance report on neurology services - Left Behind: The Price of Inaction on Neurology Reform
Rotary International

07/09/2026

Today, BPF joined our Northern Ireland (NI) partners in niNCA alongside members of the neurological community and local MLAs, standing together to call for urgent investment in NI’s neurology services. 🧠

For far too long, the community has been overlooked.

niNCA's new report—Left Behind: The Price of Inaction on Neurology Reform—warns that doing nothing is not a neutral option. Delays in diagnosis and treatment lead directly to worsening health, heavier pressure on emergency care, and fewer people able to stay in work.

The economic case is undeniable: the research estimates that every £1 invested in reform could potentially generate up to £66.85 in avoided economic costs.

Neurology needs urgent action now! It's time to invest in services, support patients & clinicians and reform neurology across NI. We all called for the Minister of Health to prioritise and fully fund Neurology reform.

👉 Read the full report: https://ow.ly/2q6150ZKpPY

07/09/2026

Our Thursday 20 August Zoom Café featured Rachel Freeman from Age UK who provided a helpful overview of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). She covered:
*The CHC assessment process
*Standard and fast-track routes
*When CHC should be considered
*Challenging CHC decisions
*Support available with applications
*What care may be provided
*Concerns about inconsistencies between ICBs
A recording of the presentation is available on the BPF website:

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04/09/2026

Meet Neddy! This rare, historic rocking horse has been beautifully restored and gifted for auction in aid of the British Polio Fellowship. With a century more rocking in him, Neddy's ready for his next home!

A prize draw is now live: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/british-polio-fellowship-win-a-rocking-horse and you have until midnight on 30/09/2026 to get involved. Good luck.

Win an antique rocking horse and support the British Polio Fellowship

03/09/2026

Neurological conditions cost Northern Ireland £2.72bn every year (4.3% of GDP)
Investing just £13m a year in neurology reform could save nearly £870m annually through reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity and support for unpaid carers.

We’re calling on the NI Minister of Health to prioritise and fully fund neurology reform.

👉 Read the report: https://shorturl.at/YnZ5v

02/09/2026

Millions are at risk of Post-Polio Syndrome, and health systems aren’t ready
Bloomberg UK

The UK health system hasn’t figured out how to care for its roughly 50,000 polio survivors, a problem soon to be replicated around the globe.

01/09/2026

What an incredible achievement. Siobhan Sargeant has raised an amazing £1,629 for the British Polio Fellowship by completing the gruelling Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in memory of her parents, Reg and Sheila, who both lived with the effects of polio.
24 miles. 3 peaks. 63,000 steps. 5,200ft of climbing. And she did it alone, in 30°C heat, in 12 hours 20 minutes! https://www.justgiving.com/page/siobhan-sargeant-3

Help Siobhan Sargeant raise money to support British Polio Fellowship

31/08/2026

Have you been affected by polio? Join our Lived Experience Group to review and provide feedback on guides and resources before they’re shared with the wider survivor community. If you’d like to get involved, contact us at [email protected] or call us on 0800 043 1935.

28/08/2026

QUESTION: Experiencing muscle or joint pain and weakness?
QUESTION: Had in the past?
ANSWER: It could be post-polio syndrome .
ACTION: Call us on 0800 043 1935, email [email protected] or check our website www.britishpolio.org.uk