An Emotional Ending to Coronation Street’s Motor Neurone Disease Storyline

In the last year, much-loved TV soap, Coronation Street, has been raising awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) through the storyline of Paul Foreman, played by Peter Ash. Paul was diagnosed with the disease in April 2023, and since then, his story has shown some of the realities of living with MND, not just for Paul, but for his friends and family. In light of tonight’s episode (Monday 9 September), where Paul sadly dies from his illness, we want to signpost how we can support patients in our community, and their loved ones, who have been affected by MND.

What is motor neurone disease?

Motor neurone disease (MND) affects the nerves, known as motor neurones, found in the brain and spinal cord. Messages from motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles, affecting a person’s movement, speech, breathing, and eating and drinking. In some cases, people will also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour, but the disease affects everyone differently. Symptoms can also differ from person to person, and they can also progress at different speeds, which makes the disease difficult to predict.

Corrie’s MND Storyline

Paul was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in April 2023, after the character was shown to be struggling with his grip. The storyline has shown the character facing multiple challenges as his illness has progressed, including the physical disabilities, losing his voice, and the social difficulties that come with it. Additionally, the plot has also focused on the financial hardships that can arise following a life-limiting diagnosis, as Paul’s husband, Billy, experienced some of the realities faced by unpaid carers.

Image credit – Coronation Street Instagram

The Coronation Street team worked closely with the MND Association to develop the storyline, to realistically portray the symptoms of MND and the impact it has on the person living with the illness, and those around them. Additionally, the charity has also been raising awareness of their work in the form of short films during the show’s ad breaks.

Actor Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Billy, is also a long-standing Ambassador of the MND Association, as a tribute to his grandfather, who died of the disease 20 years ago.

How Dorothy House supports patients with motor neurone disease

According to the MND Association, the condition affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. While MND is more likely to affect people over the age of 50, it can affect adults of any age. Simon and Sophie are two patients currently receiving our care, both of whom were diagnosed with the condition at a younger age. Simon was diagnosed in June 2023, at the age of 40, and Sophie was diagnosed in January of this year, at just 26 years old.

Both Simon, Sophie and their families have been receiving support from our Motor Neurone Disease service, jointly run by Dorothy House and Royal United Hospitals (RUH) in Bath. The service offers a single point of contact as well as ongoing support for patients with MND, their families, and carers. From diagnosis onwards, it offers specialist information, signposting, and support and guidance. An MND specialist practitioner, works within Dorothy House, the RUH, and across our community, visiting patients in their homes.

Our care is personalised to meet the individual needs of each patient, and we’re fully committed to the ‘What Matters to You’ charter, prioritising what is most important to our patients. While Simon and Sophie are both being supported by the MND service, the care and support they’ve received has been tailored to meet their individual needs. Sophie came to the Hospice for a stay on our Inpatient Unit (IPU), where our team supported her husband, Richard, in arranging a special performance from the Royal Marines Band, which they were both part of.

Meanwhile, Simon and his family have been making use of some of the other services we offer, including counselling and making creative keepsakes together. Simon has also been taking advantage of our Life Stories service, recording treasured memories for his son.

MND support and information

We understand that tonight’s episode of Coronation Street may be a tough watch, particularly for anyone affected by motor neurone disease. For additional information and support, please visit the MND Association website, where they have a range of resources available.