CONOR McGinn MP has managed to secure a key debate in parliament today around the treatment and study of Tourette's Syndrome.

Mr McGinn has been supporting local resident, Emma McNally, in her campaign to improve care around the condition after her son was left without any specialist care in the area.

Emma's son, now aged 13, used to receive regular appointments under the care of a neurologist at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, however this support was withdrawn due to the specialist’s retirement in March 2020.

Many Star readers supported Emma's campaign to take the issue to parliament last year, with 71,035 people signing her online petition to address the concerns around Tourette's and the lack of local specialists across the country.

Although her petition fell short of the 100,000 required signatures to automatically take the discussion into the House of Commons, the St Helens North MP continued Emma's fight and has secured the debate with MP's today (Tuesday, January 25).

By highlighting the struggle that affected families face, it is hoped that the government will increase funding and resources into the study and treatment of Tourette's, as well as ensuring that there are medical guidelines to follow and a local specialist for every area in the UK.

Emma, who is now a CEO of national charity Tourette's Action, said: "The debate is a massive sign of improvement, and hopefully it is the start of things because it is a problem that really needs addressing, and children across the country are being failed.

"There are family support groups - which have been a lifeline for me - but apart from that there is nothing in place to help families, and no one to turn to."

St Helens Star: Conor McGinn MP speaking in ParliamentConor McGinn MP speaking in Parliament

Conor McGinn MP said:

“I am delighted to have secured this important debate focusing on Tourette’s syndrome and how the lack of services for diagnosing, treating and studying it is impacting families locally.

“It’s appalling that children in St Helens and across the North West are forced to suffer in silence, or made to travel as far as London, just to receive critical care because it isn’t available on our doorstep.

“Local families, like that of my constituent and tenacious national campaigner Emma McNally, deserve far better.

“I hope the Government listens to our calls in this debate and does much more to ensure proper provision is finally made available for these key services.”