British Polio Fellowship brings awareness to Holyrood
22nd May 2025
From 20 to 22 May, the British Polio Fellowship (BPF) hosted an exhibition at Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament, to raise awareness about polio survivors in Scotland and promote The Fellowship’s Optimal Clinical Pathway.
The exhibition highlighted the experiences of the 2,250 individuals in Scotland living with the long-term effects of polio—conditions such as muscle weakness or paralysis, which can affect mobility, breathing, and skeletal development. Many of these survivors have also developed Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS), a progressive neurological condition.
PPS can cause joint deterioration, muscle pain, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, mobility issues and increased risk of falls and fractures.
Access to appropriate healthcare remains a major challenge for polio survivors. Many healthcare professionals, including GPs and neurologists, have limited understanding of polio’s long-term impact. Alarmingly, some even dismiss PPS entirely, despite its recognition by the NHS as a legitimate neurological condition.
To address this gap, the Fellowship has developed the Optimal Clinical Pathway—a structured guide designed to help polio survivors navigate the healthcare system and receive timely, appropriate care.
Several MSPs visited the exhibition and expressed strong support, with some recalling the fear surrounding polio during their own childhoods.
Jeremy Balfour MSP sponsored the event.
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