Polio conference highlights ongoing need for awareness and support

24th July 2026

A conference focusing on the late effects of polio and post-polio syndrome revealed that many of those affected by the condition still feel under-supported.

The British Polio Fellowship’s Health and Wellbeing Conference, held on 4 July at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Elstree, brought together around 86 attendees, including several speakers who shared personal experiences of living with the effects of polio.

Among them was Kamran Malik, who spoke about why he continues to support the polio community. He said the aim is to “progress the good work that’s already gone on, making sure the current generation of UK polio survivors is not forgotten,” while also supporting “the next generation of people who are still being affected by the issue.”

Malik added that “what we lack in public life is diversity of experiences,” a sentiment echoed by many attendees, who agreed that while current efforts to support polio survivors are valuable, there is still more to be done.

Some of this improvement lies within the NHS itself. Figures from the Neurological Alliance that were presented at the conference showed that more than 2,100 people have been waiting over a year for an appointment with a neurology consultant, despite having an urgent referral. This delay is thought to stem from a shortage of specialist workforce combined with growing demand for services.

Trustee, Frances Quinn also addressed the conference, highlighting that around 60% of polio survivors are likely to go on to develop post-polio syndrome. Drawing on data from the Fellowship’s “Big Survey,” she noted that while 49% of respondents had received a formal post-polio syndrome diagnosis, a further 40% believed they had the condition without having been diagnosed.

Quinn pointed out that these figures do not account for people who are not part of the British Polio Fellowship community, meaning the true number of undiagnosed cases across the wider polio population could be significantly higher.

The issue of awareness was raised repeatedly throughout the day. One attendee commented on how understanding of polio has changed, saying there is now less recognition of “the cultural values” surrounding the condition, particularly among those who did not contract polio in the UK. They described a “dismissal of the younger generation who acquired polio elsewhere,” arguing that their voices are often left unheard and underrepresented.

Overall, attendees agreed that despite these challenges, there is support available from the British Polio Fellowship and events such as this continue remain vital in giving polio survivors a platform to speak and keep the issues they continue to face firmly in view.

Ashi Dhrona