Incidence of MND in Canterbury, New Zealand and impact of a key worker role on hospital admissions

<i>Objective</i>: To establish the incidence of MND in Canterbury, New Zealand between 2008 and 2020, building on previously published local data. To investigate any change in hospital and emergency department use, timing of feeding tube insertion or initiation of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) after introduction of a Key Worker role and multidisciplinary clinic. <i>Methods</i>: A retrospective audit of medical records from patients diagnosed with MND between 2008-2012 and 2015-2019, before and after creation of a Key Worker role in 2013. Three separate local databases were searched to identify all cases. Medical records were searched to identify patients who met the inclusion criteria and capture hospital admissions/emergency department visits, date of feeding tube insertion and/or initiation of NIV for each patient. <i>Results</i>: Incidence averaged 3.36 diagnoses per 100,000 population per year and remained relatively stable between 2008 and 2020. There was no difference between the two time cohorts in the likelihood or timing of feeding tube insertion or initiation of NIV. There was a significant reduction in unplanned hospital admissions and emergency department visits in the latter time period, after initiation of the key worker role and multidisciplinary clinic. <i>Conclusions</i>: Incidence of MND in Canterbury, New Zealand remains relatively stable. Implementation of a Key Worker role may be related to reduced hospital admissions and emergency department visits.