Means tests scrapped for late stage MND patients

Dudley Council has scrapped means testing for late stage motor neurone disease (MND) patients after a woman died waiting for help.

The change is among a raft of measures approved by the authority’s cabinet after Labour’s Cllr Adeela Qayyum highlighted the case of one of her constituents who did not live long enough to benefit from adaptations to her home.

The average time for people getting a Disabled Facilities Grant from first contact with the council to the start of adaption work is 353 days.

Cllr Qayyum said: “I was deeply touched by what this family went through.

“Their mum needed urgent adaptations, but the system simply wasn’t fast enough.

“These changes will help families get support sooner, with fewer barriers and clearer pathways.

“None of this progress would have happened without the constituent who bravely shared her story. Her mum’s experience has directly shaped improvements that will now benefit others across Dudley.”

The changes were adopted at a meeting of Dudley Council’s cabinet on October 8 after a previous full council meeting voted unanimously to accept a motion from Cllr Qayyum.

The changes, which will apply to people with progressive and terminal conditions, will also include fast-tracking grant applications, priority for occupational therapy assessments and better engagement with planning and building control officers.

Cllr Andrea Goddard, Dudley Conservative cabinet member for adult social care and public health, thanked Cllr Qayyum for raising the issue.

Cllr Goddard added: “This is great how we can work cross party and we can all be on board with something which can really help residents to have an easier life.”

During the 2025/26 financial year around 525 Disabled Facilities Grant funded schemes were completed at a cost of almost £8m.

A report on the changes signed by Emma Matthews, Dudley director of adult social care, said: “Whilst statutory requirements mean that a fully expedited adaptation process cannot be guaranteed, the council can make meaningful improvements through earlier prioritisation, removal of avoidable administrative delays and closer partnership working that can be implemented immediately.”

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service