Helen Maginnis,. who joins SHA  after three years with the NHS, dedicated a year to the study of genetics while at university and graduated from medical school in 2017.

“I’ve been interested in working in the third sector for a number of years so I’m very excited to be joining SHA. I’ve really appreciated the warm welcome and look forward to getting to know everyone over the coming weeks and months,” she said,

Helen is also part of the wider team of HD Specialists across the country, who provide personalised 1-2-1 support, assess need, coordinate care, train, educate and advocate on behalf of people with HD, carers and their loved ones.

This lifeline support can mean the difference between coping and not coping for many families, and with some areas still without a dedicated specialist, SHA is driving forward work to create a nationwide network. That will mean all families will have access the right care and support regardless of where they live.

Significant progress is being made as a result of ongoing work on the National Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease and its regionalised versions, most recently with the appointment of the first HD Specialist for Dumfries and Galloway who will begin in post in January 2021.

To find HD Specialist support in your area, visit  www.hdscotland.org/services/specialists/ You can also view the Framework at http://care.hdscotland.org/