New Care Plan for Polio Survivors

1st April 2026

The British Polio Fellowship (BPF) has launched its new Care Plan for Polio Survivors, designed to support those living with the late effects of polio or post-polio syndrome. This plan was developed as part of the BPF’s Clinical Optimal Pathway for Polio Survivors to help capture a polio survivor’s polio history, outline the support they need for daily life, and clarify who should provide that care.

A collaborative team of BPF staff, polio survivors, and clinicians reviewed care plans from NHS hospitals and departments across the UK. They discovered that no single standardised care plan existed, with existing versions varying widely. In response, the team created a practical, unified version. This draft was tested by 17 BPF members, whose feedback helped shape the final document. The care plan will be reviewed again in 12 months to ensure it remains useful and relevant.

Filling in the care plan takes time and can be done gradually. Some sections may feel emotional, as they involve sharing personal experiences and reflecting on changes in your health. If you can’t remember everything or no longer have access to your medical records, simply include what you can. Even a partially completed care plan provides a valuable reference for you and your healthcare team, reducing the need to repeatedly share the same information.

Members will receive a paper copy of the care plan and guidance notes inserted inside the Spring edition of BPF’s quarterly magazine, the Bulletin. Alternatively, they can call the BPF office on 0800 043 1935 (Monday–Friday, 10am–3pm) or use an online editable version which is available on the BPF website: https://britishpolio.org.uk/professionals/optimal-clinical-pathway/ This version enables a polio survivor, their family or carer to add, update, or remove information and save the completed care plan directly to their device to print or email to someone as appropriate.